x

“What’s going on? I can’t get through to him,” Malcom looked down at his phone after trying to call Kevin. He received a message from him almost thirty minutes ago and for some reason, he can’t get through to his phone.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9Pf4zhd11
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0twyxV465c
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT832i6Ush
He sat on his bed, careful not to strain his shoulder. He hoped everything back at Mr. Cowell’s house is fine. After Kevin’s message, he couldn’t help but worry even more. He wished he could go there, but now that his mother had her eyes on him and his sister, getting out of the house just got harder.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpd5Wvlr3g
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP1UhdtS8T
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BNFbdCQN5
He looked at his phone and tried to call Kevin again, but his phone still isn’t going through. He thought of calling Rhénee, but thought again if it would be appropriate at this time, considering that she might be tired after what went on today. Kevin must have also told her about Mr. Cowell. And knowing her, she’s probably there right now. He thought of calling her instead.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmvq8nBvZL
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpR7KapPuw
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg84CMtJ9k6
Before he could do so, he heard a knock at the door. He muttered to himself, irritated that someone was by the door when he wanted to be alone. He told the person to come in and when he saw his mother enter the room, he couldn’t help but curse under his breath.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvGR6PYFGz
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EVWuOOSJu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqqO3kr9hj
“Well, you don’t seem so happy to see me,” said Mrs. Derrand as he approached his bed.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBIoBKeqS8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQbfLpXCyf
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdAIuwA0qK
“Maybe it’s because I wanted to take a nap before you came in,” Malcom calmly lied.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0be33jMycw
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgHi8F2m8g
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8FIowObQr
She stopped at the foot of the bed and stared at him. Malcom tried not to flinch in pain as his shoulder still continued to ache. He can’t give himself away now. His mother would throw a fit.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfz5tTtGSl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0pbp7fwAY
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6bOdJrIkx
“Sorry if I’m interrupting, but I just came to check on you.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIu1Ud7m57
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPizPG8i2O
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJqhOeODI0
“As you can see, I’m fine.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5NCeoFXex
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr85jz6TZE
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwQNUSkFSk
Mrs. Derrand almost did a 180, when she stopped and turned back to look at Malcom. “Can you do me a favour tomorrow?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEP7On0ztQ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV8du3dPut
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNqCxJ4N0w
Malcom raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUSGXtc68g
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7PfbSOg4G
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzxXhKSbXq
“You’ll be on leave for a week, right? I was wondering if you could go to Rhénee’s house tomorrow to deliver something for me.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMxStWBm1G
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahbCTLvvho
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eHmM1txOD
Now Malcom is concerned. What could his mother want him to give Rhénee?475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxff8ge3yGP
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kyNqtlgGM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n9YbQuHcU
“Why should I be the one carrying out that errand? You can easily tell the driver to do that, can’t you?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanHDTjhzfB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FObg0zaku
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9JK26ZlED
“Well, after the incident at the party, I didn’t get to give her a gift.” Mrs. Derrand made herself comfortable, sitting at the foot of his bed. Malcom hoped she wouldn’t come closer. “And I've been busy dealing with the police that I completely forgot until I saw it in my room today.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdw2DpTvhw
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV8pj9hTYC
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFzrCUkhKX
“I know you’ve been busy and that you probably forgot, but why don’t you do it? I mean, it’s your gift to her, right?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3MXuHtMwe
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4dFe6M7Nz
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEEg8ihnAU
“Yes, I know. But I’ve to get back to work tomorrow and it would be nice if you would do this for me. Besides, you can use that time to get to know Rhénee better since we were rudely interrupted at the party.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6xv8GATPy
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAK7N8xYOH
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdAkbhV2Y0
Malcom raised an eyebrow. Why would his mother want him to get too familiar with Rhénee? Is there something that she wants out of it, he thought.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQipw8kBxnI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXWyoSDvNM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHCp7ybbMA
“And if I refuse?” he dared to ask.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sYiBTdSSj
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXhokw8ruo
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61Vt5RCLKb
“Don’t try to be stubborn,” she scoffed. “It’s only natural that you should get to know her since we all knew her late grandmother. And she hasn’t been in Madison in years. We’ve to make her feel welcome.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMgBKjK3zE
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FtNZeeZEX
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTvqMHxwRC
“But you and Emelda weren’t the best of friends, you know.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0UkzUriCy
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiynE2TIqu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4T7ELeArD
Malcom knew he had struck a nerve because his mother stared at him like she would shoot lasers out of her eyes. But her demeanour quickly disappeared as she sighed and put up a smile.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEil17cfva0
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx2x2eTUIM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnOy9oWNGp
“It’s because of that that I want to make amends. I know she’s gone and there’s nothing I can do to patch things up with her. It's left me in deep regret. I feel the need to connect with Rhénee more, you know?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteb5lfFmG8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXteuxl1Ukt
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yHH7iHk45
“Then why not take the present to her yourself?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZsnWR0k3D
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75TlbiRgcj
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN0a21gdHN
“I would, but like I told you earlier, I’ve work to do. There’s plenty of time for me to get close to her. You and sister should too. Your friendship might be valuable in the future. You'll never know when you would ever ask each other for help.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9daPuVyOQ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPCmEzxXUg
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL9T28dLoW
Malcom continued to sit in silence as he looked at his mother. Why would she want him to get close to Rhénee all of a sudden?  In the few days he and Greta got to be with Rhénee, they were already close. But their mother isn’t aware of it because as far as he and his sister are concerned, she might be their enemy.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9UUFK23Gs
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT4TlkaTvK
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfnVYfHPAr
“I’ll take it for you,” he said. “But you should be the one getting to know her better. Not me.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IT5kRsZj2
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSIPL8xNK0
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsxu3sOe74
“Thank you, Malcom,” Mrs. Derrand said with a smile. “You should make your sister tag along.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r3EpbN70W
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGyamby78J
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0oh1O9Lrk
“I’ll see if she'll be up for the idea.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPincVqLB3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHht4BntHND
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYi9hH3NiT
Mrs. Derrand stood up from the bed and stretched out her hand to touch Malcom by the shoulder. He was quick enough to catch her hand before it landed. She looked a little shocked by the sudden gesture.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxba4W8iUW
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXva7IhfJrv
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqiZAYK7yE
“What is it?” Mrs. Derrand asked. “You don’t want your mother touching you, Malcom?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIvxAQ123A
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBS8Ymy5Kb
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFXBoft9DG
“Wow, mum, when you put it like that, it sounds really wrong,” Malcom said as he quickly stood up.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2QoUBZQRk
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1vx2raj3T
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3HJahImeW
"Sorry, dear. I just wanted to show my affection for the favour."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ErORRqPrk
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjNSDJBfWI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZjs6pW4YW
"Maybe you should do that by leaving me for now. I need to rest."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTmiwvYwh8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOGjWAxXUI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAVhzjRtMV
His mother sighed. "When are you going to stop hating me, Malcom?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurnck0RyHh
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMQkcPHg60
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKM8GhFQve
"I think you already know the answer."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOBjtcAeoN
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8EgQv1W71
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsAO94FLyi
"Whatever happened to your father..., I still regret it to this very day."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclHZjw7RLv
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUmShLbuN3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzYCU7rgx7
"Do you mum? Because it doesn't feel like it."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb6UW8bJDn
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUubeLqxoYZ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPrhA9hE0m
Malcom folded his arms and almost winced in pain as he strained his injured shoulder by doing so. Instead, he humphed as though he's upset. He turned to look away from his mother, approaching the window and looking at the dark lawn outside.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpblWEaCDq
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBA7SDhnAd
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKAMZKWVZI
"I know I can't undo what I did," said Mrs. Derrand, as she stood behind her son. "But will you continue to hate me forever? It's been three years since-"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrjh5JTTpz
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UNopWcrUP
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhRTg3H4FR
"Mum, enough. I don't want to talk about it. It hurts even more when you start this all over again. Staying here with you is already enough to bear, don't you think?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0muhBbe60
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn4sw6q9vL
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iKM3ehE8f
Mrs. Derrand opened her mouth, but no words came out. She knew it's best for her to leave.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS4Mk7XQ3k
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VbKjE8UrY
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mzrU75Fm9
"I know you and your sister hate me, Malcom. But know this, whatever I did, I did it for the two of you. And I was never going to let your father get in the way. If you ask me, I would do it all over again."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfHVdcvrBx
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZiGFApvwA
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumpBfYi1vO
Malcom dropped his arms and clenched his hands into fists, straining his injured shoulder. He just wanted his mother to leave.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2C3OkM1bH
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BkzC59G9g
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NpgbpPxmJ
Someone knockwd at the door, and judging by how quick the knocks came, Malcom knew it's Greta. She might be late, but she couldn't have come at a better time.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcznIFAAq62
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2t7hh1ciL
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjeAemWf7Z
Mrs. Derrand went to the door and opened it. Greta gasped at the sudden sight of her mother in her brother's room.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvKLocLwzu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3WQ9RVdJe
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXHb77WNag
"Hey, mum," said Greta, trying to compose herself.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22SuB0Wrb6
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zX64os2Gf
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm0YtKQhXI
Her mother gave a nod of her head and looked back at Malcom who still looked out of window. She sighed.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbKFkpGz1s
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczKNGEnrvN
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88pihZUbNp
"I'll leave you two," she said as she went past Greta who quickly stood aside. Greta looked on as her mother walked down the hall to her room.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Pu1QkjDG
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW7G1zgkjH
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFco16Zd3d
Greta quickly entered her brother’s room, closing the door quietly. She turned to look at her brother. “What was she doing here?” she asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFMbDChk6R
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13c9rTuLGR
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4myl8PEhi
Malcom shook his head. “I’ll tell you later. Right now, something’s up with Kevin’s phone. I tried calling him but he isn’t answering.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAmIWY8uko
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCxXDICUNx
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQVWDPISuE
“I guess you received the message too. I tried calling Rhénee and her phone wouldn’t go through either. I also called the house landline. It's ringing but nobody’s picking.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2N2Ka75jM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1Dil0jV6A
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RQ1DczjCT
“Odd.” Malcom turned to look at his sister. “There should be Miss Griselda at the house. Could they not be home?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgXjA9FLiH
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bVLFCfdGB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOftiMC44Tv
Greta also looked just as confused as Malcom. He didn’t like this at all. Kevin and Rhenee’s phones were unreachable, and no one was answering the phone at Rhenee’s house. Could Kevin, Rhénee and Miss Griselda be in trouble? Or is there any reasonable explanation?475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYB0oSGYcX
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTrY7KQpnb
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVJYGrYyet
“I would like us to go check Rhénee’s house, but I don’t think mum would want us to go out,” said Greta.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVypPDrMz2
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoihhOxUESJ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyjTqA01Sk
Malcom couldn’t agree more. Their mother would find it suspicious that they were both leaving the house together. Unless…475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoR0shQmjR
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZULQyWHZum
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll5CNSRfWI
Malcom snapped his fingers and quickly walked past his sister, heading for the door.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hCPM8HVpo
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG3AbpiO7E
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ919RxNCJ5x
“Hey, where are you going?” Greta called out to him, as she followed.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCLnXwE5PM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VGt2DyscG
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeDdhmsmVq
Malcom stopped himself in the hall and turned to look at his sister coming behind him.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XmTIxKe5a
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7cVTUYIPt
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxHJAt4KSr
“Lower your voice, I don’t want mum to hear,” he whispered to her.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH9giHcwgE
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkD42pH5GC
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJuBQ7AX6H
“What is it?” she asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL16dqWRbc
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m3waIEeje
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8FEHELpTY
“I want you to follow my lead. Can you do that?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D5c3G6hHV
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj1CYhH86d
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIZ0fQMf80
“Whatever plan you have, I hope it works. What am I saying? Of course, it will.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaesmoGFSb5
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqjuclDFf9
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Axt6bwXq
Malcom gave her a brief smile and continued his way down the hall, heading for his mother’s room. He heard Greta yelp behind him, but she continued to follow nonetheless.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhhEUjoHBx
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSJnBzWitA
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJru5pjmMjm
When he got to the door, he knocked and heard his mother behind the door tell him to come in.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz9QMyUXwZ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pcyo4c8fB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54JoMunBoS
"Malcom, Greta," said Mrs. Derrand as she looked up at her two children. She was seated on her bed, with her phone in her hand. She looked a little surprised to see them, not after what happened with Malcom in his room. "What brings you two here?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07m0OlG3qB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDb4p177Fq
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlLK9zC8Y4
Greta looked at her brother who immediately answered, "that gift you wanted me to take to Rhénee, I would like to take it to her now, if you don't mind."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPIa0Tu6i1
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR5WAEePyQ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziKO7YJC7w
Mrs. Derrand looked even more surprised. "I thought we agreed you would take it to her tomorrow."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitvk3s40L6
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IIATUQwpY
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pQxMIvxv6
"I did, but I thought I'm better off taking it today, before it gets too late. I just remembered that there's something I need to do tomorrow. And it's urgent."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP142e10fE
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AcHL078Vb
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe65mJSUBIF
Mrs. Derrand looked at Malcom and Greta intently. The two thought she would simply refuse. She stood up from her bed and went to her closet. The two siblings looked at each other, wondering what she's going to get out of there.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFasa0GRa9
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJILrUDWVZ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxm9pRHDq9
The doors of the closet closing caught the two's attention as they turned to look back at their mother who now had a small white gift bag in her hand. She held it up for Malcom to get.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7zrwTZxJh
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0mdJZWBKe
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda84BpAcHx
"Here it is," she said. "Are you sure you need to take it to her now?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhasO9H3q40
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxBQWjDRMo
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlKoD6d1Sf
"I'm sure,"  Malcom answered. "I'll make sure she gets it."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPpWtwKJvs
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXSziqVYGT
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMKWw2N5tU
"I know you will. I'm just worried about the time. Do you two really have to be out at this time?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxLCVcUXg4
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofbmc4dQBY
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAmkCPySKX
"Come on, mum, we aren't kids anymore," Greta chirped in. "It's not that late. We haven't even had supper yet."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2Lu0yFP6l
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHGFlgeYzG
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn6uQ73kQA
"That's because you two weren't here that I told the cooks to delay for a little bit."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDfKRR950L
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosfc90y29K
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDjLJT6tOT
"We'll be back before you know it," said Malcom. "We'll have time to chat with Rhénee later."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqBGQfCVVt
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNghWlNPYl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUeU6AhiBX
Mrs. Derrand sighed, knowing that she didn’t have a choice. She probed Malcom to get the bag from her hand which he did.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3xP2PkKpW
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDveiZYBkmM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9N9ep9SGi
"Be careful out there," Mrs. Derrand said to them as they made their way out of the room.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8MHEqxKsh
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vVIChNmbb
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6px6FPeZd
"Did anyone ever tell you how brilliant you are, Malcom?" Greta asked as they quickly rushed down the stairs.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v4W8qXWvU
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAmcqxuohk
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK1Mu2sMGp
"Keep it down," he warned as he reached the bottom of the stairs first and headed for the front door. "We don't want her to hear you."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4bmylflZK
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqrZ7qvT1T
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgypAkPRSZx
He searched for the keys to the car in his pocket. Luckily he hadn't removed them from the time he got back home. He quickly opened the door and went for the car. Greta closed the door behind her and quickly followed her brother to the car. Malcom already unlocked the door and got in.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWr5tcA7Hr
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCOvBj3egJ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9sUQsDC56
"I just hope they're okay," said Greta as she got in the car. Malcom had already worn his seatbelt.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWae5cnh68
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7664uBm6xk
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlpeLlAen2
"I hope so too, especially Rhénee."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrxYkfpY2v
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqbNuInBc0
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoJRqhjEwR
Greta raised an eyebrow at her brother as she also wore her seatbelt. "You seem to care about her a lot lately."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9e7qiP1kB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh5kDluBCe
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxmZ7aI6FC
"Is that a problem?" Malcom asked as he turned the ignition and the car's engine roared to life, not looking at his sister.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsoQMMsLH9
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyqwf9uTOe
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrH9ZBOYtq
"Oh, nothing," said Greta. "I know we're protecting her because we swore that we would, but you seem to be taking this a little too seriously."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6irCbnMTyx
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMJ34oxRCq
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A9BQahoJt
Malcom now turned to look at Greta. "It's like you said at first. We swore that we would protect her."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOlOmxUFjz
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbduGbTdnyn
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYAGR5ekSi
He put the car in reverse and it reversed right out of the driveway, through the gate. He put the car on drive, driving away from their house.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LskWHIfoC
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXOlHLrkQ8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8FHnFiNYh
"I know that. But haven't you stopped to think that by doing so we're also going against our mother?" Greta asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4aThjJLr7
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6nGEIay0B
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oiemE2cyA
"You're forgetting that we've been against her for a long time even before Emelda passed on."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyPoL1VFjT
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr4jOzOl9F
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8UVYtuheF
"True. But what if things had been different back then? Would we be protecting Rhénee like we're now?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb3NFzS7Jl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaohgrFNsKM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx2vnthUPY
Malcom didn't answer at first as he had his eyes fixed on the road. "If things had been different," he finally answered, "something tells me we wouldn't have known Rhénee at all."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP338iaJcs
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vuroF7Nr4
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAVKqNfyUm
Greta looked at her brother and thought about what he said. She looked ahead. "I guess you're right."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0LqoLgYxw
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEmfGhRStC
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0ykLSy8kL
“Do you regret doing this?” Malcom asked after a moment of silence had passed between them.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qIZtrLzf2
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugTSXr81HU
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD49rB6fYO
Greta hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to use. “To be honest, I don’t know what to think anymore,” she answered. “If it weren’t for our parents, something told me we wouldn’t have been in this mess.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTxq49eTeo
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhzeFiHR3E
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovfoPsFmWt
“But you don’t regret helping Rhénee out?” Malcom gave his sister a brief glance before fixing his eyes on the road again.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlcEcPAMCI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQDymkUhXZ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCf9aEA3y5
“For some funny reason, I really don’t. And you?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCufR15tln
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g26KvRd3O
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxpJ9BS5Vl
Malcom found himself shaking his head. He knew he and Greta are doing this because they promised the late Emelda. Now it felt more like an obligation. He didn’t know if his sister also felt this way, but he did. As much as that thought scared him, he didn’t seem to care. Ever since he met Rhénee, he felt he had to protect her from whatever is going on in this little town. Maybe his sister is right. Was he taking this a little too far? If so, why? He felt he isn’t only doing this for the late Emelda, but for something else. Is it to get back at his mother for what she did to him and Greta in the past? Now that he is thinking about it, he realises that there must be some other reason, though he doesn’t seem to know what it could be.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMjPMOljIb
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKRJPGEaol
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jmbymUkgL
They were now pulling over in front of Rhénee’s house and they noticed as the car entered the front gate, that the lights inside the house were off. They couldn’t have called it a night and gone to bed for it’s far too early. Malcom and Greta knew right away that something's wrong.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYRUsFMbPY
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRMhEQOGSq
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlqq79xhZ8
Malcom parked the car in front of the house and Greta immediately got out. Malcom killed the car’s engine and followed Greta.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOojkeukRYi
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcQyY5KPYi
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV6lrSrTnO
“The place is dark and quiet,” said Greta as she walked up to the front porch. “It looks like nobody’s home.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRuNrPvyPE
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23BjloQHGM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrMuRDtPDg
Malcom looked at the mansion and then at his sister. “Let’s try the back.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQWbU96ke0
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKkTWdw2lC
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeXg3COgZS
They went round the house and went for the kitchen back door. They weren’t surprised to find it locked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61StjBgoOI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7POhP3XRQ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBvNk2QtfY
“I’m guessing they must have gone to Mr. Cowell’s house,” said Malcom. “I just noticed that Rhénee’s car isn’t here.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBTfou3LYu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPmOMqzk2L
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynpRzz4gSQ
“Could she've gone with Miss Griselda?” Greta asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KBEBvpDzm
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPmEzfov11
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl8MaXLMta
“I guess so, otherwise, we would’ve found her here. Come on, let’s go to Mr. Cowell’s house.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYpoffG49r
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBW5h09bLl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wxoQvwh3L
“Ya, let’s get out of here. With this house quiet and dark, I find it really creepy. I feel like a ghost can just appear out of nowhere.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1lObghDKM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXlS4AoUJK
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TsXnhQXex
“You watch too many horror movies,” Malcom shook his head at his sister. “Let’s go.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C1Q28Qh64
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv17HkzInP
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26Jd9UX71w
Greta went back to the front of the house. Malcom lingered a little as he looked towards the garden and the greenhouse. For an odd minute, he thought there was someone there, but he was greeted by silence and darkness. Now that Greta mentioned how creepy she felt, it also got to him except this time around, he actually felt there's something out there, but he couldn't see or tell if it's actually there.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq12A5VZcz
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqDFdQoD8E
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPagaXbtcOi
He followed Greta and found her waiting by the car.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbpqf4FK6J
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8o8FOykpa
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYlvAGyKm8
"I thought someone had nabbed you back there," she said as he got close.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhoTNjZZur
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzWFXZBXva
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KpKQgSGMq
"I'm okay, as you can see," he said as he went to the driver's side and entered the car.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9OsQk0kkI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BNKJWksVM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLLFjuqDBQ
"I really hope Rhénee is okay," Greta also followed into the car.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2BA3GP8Ih
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPgJAgCNjO
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQigNdjKZBY
"Give her a ring again." Malcom started the car. "If her phone won't go through, then there's definitely something going on."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwJZBQbRWK
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbCaS2ELBg
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGn1OwIgta
***475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0GsV73m1L
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMti0OXHj1
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlt6Incp8h
"Rhénee?" Kevin called out as he heard noises coming from the livingroom.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWipIDYL48J
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfQWRyAvbx
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINKrrN6trC
With his phone acting as a torch, he made his way to the door. When he pushed it open, he saw Rhénee on someone's back, her arms and legs wrapped round the person's body. All this while, the person was trying to get her off, but she stuck to the man like glue. Kevin looked confused as the two went from left to right, knocking over a few things in the room.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmb8tPzccp
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZlt5TpW4w
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsXPk33c6f
How did he get in the house, he thought. And if he had been here the whole time, how come he and Rhénee hadn't realised it?475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7VpDOvlC4
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW7mZjdutI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iSOwfZ2HI
Rhénee hung onto the man's back and as they spun around the room, she noticed a light appear in the room. She knew Kevin had arrived after hearing the noise. Right now, she needed to put this man down, but with him moving around, she didn't know what to do.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpHFg4wBpN
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZXKQBcysz
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BGlot08jZ
"Kevin, help!" she called to him.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59DuV65RTS
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTvRcZRgOB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYHc7Ffygp
Soon, the man ran her up the wall, making her get hit in the back. But it still wasn't enough for her to let him go.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSZMuKnPMs
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE3Avz7TiX
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfc3FKvr6A
"Get off of me!" the man yelled, running across the room, and in the process, hitting into the coffee table.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZPPR9P9jP
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyvBI4EdK6
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8RmLbHQv1
Rhénee and the man fell to the floor together, with Rhénee still on top of him. Now is the man's opportunity to get her off of him. But Rhénee was quick enough to sit upright on his back and press his head down onto the floor with her hand and pinning his back with one knee.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1gxZquwsL
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM8nevhtOj
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr49xpV49q
"Kevin, help me hold him!" Rhénee called out to Kevin in front of her.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSkdcy2G5i
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYw1Zdxav2
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEyWipPIkj
Kevin woke up from his shock and tossing his phone on the couch, he came over to help her as he also pinned his knee onto the man's back. He also pinned the man's hands onto his back.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAakkl0X6Kv
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn01kQaHyHh
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu1erl0b6H
The man squirmed and struggled to get out. He's much bigger and broad shouldered. Rhénee and Kevin weren’t going to be enough to pin him down for long. They had to do something quickly.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjpdcJRBC6
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLGO46tBof
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhihwKEKmWw
“We can’t hold him down for much longer,” Kevin told Rhénee. “We’ve to do something quick-”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX8Vssx2rr
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiDHXrZjkS
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cgl8mbCox
Before Kevin could finish his sentence, Rhénee had quickly pressed her index and middle fingers onto the man’s neck and he quickly fell unconscious.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQSOCNTSDF
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi5iumKLmM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIasZ06f5U
“What the-?” Kevin couldn’t believe what he's seeing. “How did you do that?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX82Fz8bvf
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF64xebgjB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5e9hvuK40
“I hit his pressure point,” Rhénee calmly answered. She slowly stood up taking in a few deep breaths.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLn583mppr
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaa7Nm5Xex
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvRfuTrFlG
“Where did you learn to do that?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tcMzHgVqm
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0DcaQiyGr
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOeg15S5yo
“I’ll explain later. We need to check if he has weapons on him.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXYNBM35Hl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xZ4RdrMAA
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4NfQ6XxFd
Kevin agreed to leave this discussion for later as he started to check the man’s pockets while Rhénee went over by the couch to get his phone to provide light as he searched. He found an AK47 tucked under his belt and a sharp pocket knife in one of his pockets. He checked the other one and found a cellular phone. Weird, most people have smart phones these days. Why would he need a cellular phone?475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jnhuOy0sc
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHZgeXPcvr
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BAbwlkQQ9
“I guess this is important,” said Kevin as he passed the phone to Rhénee.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uBVJgCDqy
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpJko10AYM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFakYp0VS1
“Whoever he works for might get into contact with him,” said Rhénee as she looked at the phone and checked it. She frowned. “There’s still no signal.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk7BfLB7VM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9byGuGeQsB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIlDyiLpYr
“Maybe he was going to cut off whatever is jamming it after he finished the job. We just have to find it.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oBeRR5l4V
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cykhEFsiC
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0BagGLnX5
“Let’s tie him up first. Who knows when he might come around.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsIgs1JFq9
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYnfjOz0zA
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD8sPGusjZ
“I thought he will be unconsciousness until you touch his pressure point again.” Kevin stood up from the floor.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3JlBFOULQ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXKOfvbvfp
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRmdZ2YSti
“Not always. There’s a limit, you know?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKGSxjJOn3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69Jbm3y8B7
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJIgGSC5wt
“I think I saw rope somewhere in the kitchen.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaHubyqaEP
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxBeN40Qnp
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3BosAjgC1
Rhénee gave Kevin his phone back as he rushed to the kitchen. She took her phone out and turned on the torch. She looked at the man who lay unconscious on the floor. Sophie stood on the overturned coffee table, looking on. Rhénee smiled at the cat, glad that her plan had worked. She felt the cat could really understand her after all.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGhv3w59x0
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LWGVAMknG
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oz0IEn331
She knelt on the floor so as to take a good look at the man with short black hair and ruddy face with a slightly big nose. He wore black clothes and black leather boots like that of a soldier. In fact, Rhénee thought that if she were to look at him properly with the lights on, she might mistake him for one. But who could he be?475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDlkvCRzaG
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSymeHjmnX
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPO8G328nT
Rhénee continued to look at him when she spotted something on his neck like a chain, hidden under his black t-shirt. It looked like one of those chains most soldiers wear in memory of fallen soldiers. But the chain isn’t silver but gold. Looks like he isn’t a soldier then, she thought.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGF7I7sSrs
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmHs3qOR4F
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXamjq23KWi
Out of curiosity, she placed her fingers on his neck to get the chain out. It’s a chain necklace with a grey key. The odd thing about the key is that it’s real and not a trinket. She noticed rust in some areas and it looked old. Why would he be carrying it with him around his neck? Did it mean something?475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKwEhf7eSu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3KPMhMbHV
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBFt3IdvIS
She heard the door to the kitchen creak open and Kevin walked in, holding up his phone to light the way. Rhénee brought the neck chain around the man’s head, and managed to get it.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMGN14V53Q
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGC6FYersV
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWvggPRjb2
“What’s that?” Kevin asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GCt4SP3Cl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecwmeS5n2S
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahtrbv6uAY
“A key,” Rhénee answered as she stood up and held up the chain for Kevin to take a look.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNOFZltjgJ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TSrThZJeq
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttXgkw6ixQ
“Do you think it’s important?” Kevin raised an eyebrow.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWjKJm499b
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ptnUTxEdo
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYrrJX0P0x
“I have a hunch.” Rhénee placed the key in her pocket. “Come on, let’s tie him up. Then we can go check upstairs for whatever is jamming the signal.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrSMlbdrFw
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCqlPn40m1
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKJjTMAVxd
“How sure are you that it’s upstairs?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9HUQXPTw4
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2xFhnyxjo
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZHfCD28dr
“Because that’s where he has been hiding this whole time. It’s obviously up there.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVi4ZNhFf6
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCHYMwXXe7
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIQUUmS5YV
Kevin nodded and they went on ahead to position the man on the floor to tie him. They bounded his hands and legs, making sure to tie the rope round his body for him to lie straight on the floor.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLkGFr3sxD
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4rnr9ZEM4
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSiyXh6UfM
Together with Sophie, they soon made their way up the stairs. When they reached the top landing, Kevin suggested they split up; him taking the left and Rhénee taking the right.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKjzbwommf
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9ss9dLGp8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokOY92rroT
Rhénee walked down the hall with Sophie at her heels and approached the first door to her left. She opened the door and looked inside. It's a bedroom. There weren't things lying around on the dressing table opposite the bed which was close to the bed, so she could tell that no one occupied this room. She thought of leaving to go check somewhere else, but she found herself now in the middle of the room. She didn't know why, but she felt that she might find something of importance.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RQW4GF7Fw
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QcqCBkvUS
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPJB3qrPSP
There were sheets and pillows on the bed and Rhénee found it odd for a room that seemed unoccupied. Maybe she's wrong and there was someone who occupied it.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt6yBTaHtI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlvQGZpDRI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmr7CrbgTl
A wooden closet stood in front of her and she went straight for it. She drew the doors open, and found the closet empty. Strange, she thought. She felt sure she would find something. Just as she was about to turn and look elsewhere, she felt a light thud below. Sophie had just stepped in the wardrobe and went for the corner.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYPecJ9GJl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwYFfFYCY8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu8DKm8Y3P
Rhénee shone the light over to where the cat was as it started to scratch the floor of the wardrobe. Rhénee knelt on the floor and bent over to the far corner and when she placed her hand on the spot the cat had been scratching at, she realised that the wall of the wardrobe felt light and hollow.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoMWzCy3oJ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID82EAMbTP
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWGNwHoWpf
"Just how many secret places does this house have?" Rhénee asked herself aloud.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOb3J99e23
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5lrUkEa8Z
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiY8NBt5nY
She now started to press her hand along the corner of the wall of the wardrobe while the other held her phone. The wall caved in a little until Rhénee realised that it could be pushed aside. She pushed a little, and what she saw made her gasp in awe. She decided to call Kevin.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzytWRBKfd
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JAMKTWmVc
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFvw7SwDFd
“Kevin!” she shouted, bringing herself out of the closet. “You’ve to see this!”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxKb9NzO6S
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmHyFkTKbl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyjnaQaWFU
She heard quick, heavy footsteps and Kevin soon came with his light pointed at Rhénee. “What is it? Are you okay?” he asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzoFauk0LW
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGTT2rDapV
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNTyanRmiQ
"You'll be surprised with what I'm about to show you," she said as she went on her knees to enter the cupboard. Kevin still remained outside, and when Rhénee fully drew the wall of the cupboard aside, his jaw couldn't help but drop.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk25HH9D2Wr
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8i2Lenr8v
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf50cvb1DKD
In front of them stood a stack of guns, mounted on the wall like they had been put up for some kind of display. Below them, were drawers. Rhénee drew one of them open to find a variety of bullets for the guns neatly stacked away. She drew out another and there were a variety of short knives also lined up neatly.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy1L79ehw3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dODE1XvG5
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmPxe4Jvie
"Was this man preparing for war?" Rhénee asked as she looked at Kevin.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLavI4uPQKy
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSkHI9vkZA
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O2AmFhkgU
"I'm just as surprised as you," said Kevin. "I've known Mr. Cowell to be peaceful. I never thought he could’ve a stack of guns and knives hidden in his house."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLavZ7x2t6
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxocfQfxte3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbCShrnzSw
"He isn't some war veteran, is he?" Rhénee got out of the wardrobe, her eyes still fixed on the guns.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfUISkjTZ0
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuulR305l7
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRsMK7Xt94
Kevin shook his head. He had a worried look on his face and Rhénee thought it best that they move on.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6T19hPdTy
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUAKPzthXj
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX8Q5HLQAZ
"Come on, we can worry about that later," she said as she went back in the wardrobe to slide the wall shut.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUJJiISFqD
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjc7NcQph3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssRM6asJob
"So many things are happening today," said Kevin. "It's kinda hard to process it."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1LB6yrEba
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMxX4d1IPB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXSTv62nrm
Rhénee put her hand on his right shoulder as she faced the opposite direction. "I know what you mean. All this is overwhelming for you and I'll understand if you decide not to go on with it."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN8t9XNoVn
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AeYEfEzMW
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ211UbSu9lf
Kevin turned to look at her in the semi-darkness. "I know what you're trying to do, Rhénee. You aren't going to convince me to leave you to face these things alone."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjWYtHlaVO
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAygvIVhUSk
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6YH4hvASA
Rhénee couldn't help but blush in embarrassment as she stared at the floor in front of her. She felt Kevin take hold of her hand on his shoulder and turned to look at her.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ381pJvQ3zw
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYJza2mxEa
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGIvX5Jbn7
"I know I might not protect you with guns and whatnot, but I'll do as promised to your late grandmother: to protect you in the best way I know how. So you aren't going to drive me out of your life that easily. Not until the threat around you is gone."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hu6MgQr73
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fMt4TBNN1
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOVCoiZ6Wo
The two continued to look at each other and Rhénee soon cleared her throat, finding their little moment a little weird. She gently pulled her hand away from Kevin's, and he didn't resist as he also looked away.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84qNqJwPqW
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6ErDb59jZ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVgXIwoLhS
"We should continue looking," Rhénee suggested as she started to make her way towards the door. She stopped. "You know I'm suggesting this for your own safety, right?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLhG2pjDoU
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIazHQi9gP
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aMD8uC8xx
"I know. But you don't decide what I do. I'm here to protect you willingly."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXH0lIcFyX
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfEIHgUX8A
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSSwSLMFx4
Rhénee noticed Sophie stand right next to her. She sighed. "Let's go check the other rooms. We can't waste any more time."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9MOSfn38z
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt3ljdGXSk
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe0NxwtKjK
"You're right."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6CiKzTpBB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF3sVDmmvT
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu0QdGEaqr
The two left the room and carried on with their search. After checking in two rooms, Kevin found himself in the master bedroom: Mr. Cowell's room. He looked around for anything suspicious, but nothing. He started to check around the room where he could probably hide anything of value by checking the wardrobe for any secret compartments and also under the bed, but to no avail.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvBo56lT0E
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gPjkmtLRK
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJgfdBKtsK
He was just about to go check the bathroom  when he thought he had seen something through the corner of his eye by the bookshelf at the far end of the room. He almost ignored it, thinking that he’s just seeing things. But then a small flashing green light blinked in the darkness before he even had a chance to look away. He went towards the shelf, looking for whatever could be blinking in the dark. After moving a few books aside, he finds a small black device that had been placed behind the books. It looked more like a small black box and the green LED light blinked at him after a few seconds. He noticed a small wire from it going all the way into a small hole drilled in the wall. He wondered if this could be what’s blocking the signal. He took the device in his hand and found a small button to press on. He pressed it.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHpGOzQRFl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonEwQ7Gc04
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF4VSpyVjP
The LED light suddenly went from green to red and immediately, Kevin felt the phone in his hand vibrate. The network signal is back and he couldn’t help but feel relieved. He checked his phone and found three messages from Malcom asking why his phone wasn’t going through when he tried to call. Kevin thought of calling him back, telling him what’s going on.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo97O7xok8c
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ML6dodnfu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9zejedfrX
Rhénee is in one of the rooms searching, when her phone beeped. She quickly checked it and realised that the network is back. Kevin must have found what was jamming the phone signal, she thought. She quickly rushed to the door and called out in the hall:475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvZXtZQTG3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIISFvK3Vha
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAFEX58HjR
“Kevin, did you find it?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmZDYgJO0I
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MK5h1zReF
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSndtiQDlz2
Kevin appeared down the dark empty hall from the master bedroom. “Yes, I’m trying to call Malcom. He tried calling me earlier but he couldn’t reach me.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrQLNFyrpV
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgrwFkXL9p
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlVk0jpFfO
Rhénee went back to looking at her phone and found messages from Greta asking her if she was alright and if they’re at Mr. Cowell’s house. She didn’t have to text back as Kevin got through to Malcom.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESkIG61XKB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejDDZyqeha
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE48Yi1upF
“Malcom, hey,” Rhénee heard him say on the phone. “We’re fine, yes, I’m with Rhénee. You’re almost at the house? But there's a problem. We can’t seem to get out of the house meaning that you can’t get in..., it’s a long story. If we can figure a way out you’ll get the details. Great.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhtzb6Cli1
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqbERiOWOM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl1X6BXR77
Kevin cut the call and said to Rhénee: “they are on their way.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5kji8EmX0
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTcol0O51y
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0a2ACWYEi
“Where did you find the device jamming the signal?” Rhénee asked as she approached Kevin down the hall.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bRNwzBlBK
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4iWITGTlz
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHmVaqW3uv
“Hidden behind some books on a shelf,” he answered.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4dXTLWzXp
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACjAx67rcn
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuCcd7useE
“Good work. Found anything else interesting?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijOAGpzb3M
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH9LJMYLxo
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3bKbLnZ4H
Before Kevin could answer, the phone in Rhénee’s pocket beeped. It’s the phone for the man whom they had tied downstairs. Rhénee quickly took out the phone to check it and found a message. She opened the inbox and what she read brought chills down her spine. She quickly looked up at Kevin.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZjNBY2Sio
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGoL0qWQhb
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeBVZvKNVm
“Kevin, you’ve to see this?” She quickly found herself approaching him.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXQhdwGr9M
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1kGbHT1zW
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomOBHyfxmT
“Isn’t it the man’s phone?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yHONSpEUw
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4os8LlR7l
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2elshxS8WF
“It is, and the message he got might be the clue to finding Miss Griselda.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7SMmjanSK
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94q7wNXAvO
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNB89ArrfH
Rhénee showed Kevin the message which read:475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDNeOGRhra
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01p71GkVv3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45n3reanCH
“After the job is done, meet me at the … bridge.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZLHaDWfE4
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0GCyxGvwv
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrddWzC9G9b
"Could it be Mr. Cowell?" Kevin asked, looking wide-eyed at Rhénee.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN9l7bv3uq
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCj4hbjSZl
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOqfayK7ua
"It could be, or it must be the person they're working for," she answered.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6vhwr6xIB
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQNUq8PLqT
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNRVdtRhjL
"Reply to them saying that you've got the message. They might find it a little suspicious that they didn't give any response."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMI9zJZeNi
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtbqlN3Lbb
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe8HMQM0mH
"Judging by the time the message was sent," Rhénee continued to look at the phone, "we were already here with Miss Griselda."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K8GjyBYY0
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdMbIzNivQ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4B5GUxqv4
"Let me see." Rhénee showed him and found that she was right. If they had sent back a message replying to it, they might have caused a blunder and the people on the other end would know something's wrong.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwrDWXiLWu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKy3auBAo8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT88XAiiNy
"We can send a message telling them that the job is done and we'll be heading to the bridge right away," Rhénee suggested.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0ep3FC1MH
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBIZzpq8Bu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMtzggcjsp
"That's okay, but that's if we can find a way out of here," said Kevin.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoE3OXFIJK
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLJrcAPR5h
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7Q9UkFUFT
Just as Rhénee replied to the message, a sound of someone banging on the door downstairs reached them. Malcom and Greta are here. Together with Sophie, the two of them quickly ran down the stairs with their phone's as torches. When they got to the front door the banging on the door continued.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M7T3Q9CT8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyUHjIm9aF
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmCflOaJtT
"Malcom!" Rhénee called to him.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrZAMyVIfg
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHdWW4fvAE
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBpKMC2ac8
"Rhénee? Thank goodness!" came Greta's voice, sounding relieved. "We thought all this is just some silly prank when we found the lights off and the door wouldn't open."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXYxsOnlvH
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNwbNygloC
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH4SP5dUB1
"It's no joke. Somehow, we got locked in, the lights went out and the phone signal got jammed. It's why we couldn't call for help."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVmiWGuGGC
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMPz2Zit5f
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEeLItygsw
"And what of Miss Griselda?" Malcom asked. "There was no one at the house. Is she with you?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3LpFZF1QL
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkefFWmQ2Y7
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Itc05wi3v
Kevin and Rhénee looked at each other in the semi-darkness, wondering who would be the one to break the news about Miss Griselda's kidnapping.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkdL4BChGY
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLYeK74Z11
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1kQfaDdnx
"She was with us," Kevin answered, as he continued to stare at Rhénee, then back at the door.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoylUK3h1rO
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lQdmjTMMI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE7v81bSRs
"What do you mean 'was?'" Malcom asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXwdcW4nYX
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eTt6kBcOO
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCy66ycCez
Kevin looked at Rhénee, willingly for her to answer that. She swallowed before she said:475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAlfXGWb03
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R97w86flS
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65AtGPXPlb
"She was with us at first but she isn't anymore. She's been kidnapped."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6JnIGDeuI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrBR2BF0xt
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu9WMDKtzu
"What!" Greta exclaimed. "And what about Mr. Cowell? Isn't he there with you? How's he doing?"475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC84suOJ8P2
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7SN7P2sYy
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTZgY7V6zY
"That's the thing," Rhénee quickly started to say, "he was never injured."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBKfEjgMtd
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBOBkdowFP
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYah9unxe7
"Huh?" Malcom and Greta sounded surprised by the whole thing. Rhénee could only imagine the look on their faces.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR10PJaVeIY
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PcJTDY1CT
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH4nITulRR
"How come? Is all this some sort of setup?" Malcom asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPaIb8J1W2
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RhJ3Jexf1
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh88SmKUZ6
"Seems so," Kevin answered. "Mr. Cowell drugged Miss Griselda and left us trapped in the house. But we do know where they are."475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSad8y71iXH
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2g0yoG0LA
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw19B2WA9M2
“Let’s get you out of here first. It seems we have to break the door from outside.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0jMHQqhg1
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfb3B3UhHf
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNWFT1itns
“Aren’t there any keys or anything?” Greta asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV9XocFxL4
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsWEC9rZH3
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLYqgaD3UD
Rhénee brought over the light from the torch to illuminate the wall where the key hanger was. She wasn’t surprised to find it empty.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzQJotCqz9
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1eAUTtXhn
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z8Vp1IWX9
“Nothing, we just have to break the door down,” said Rhénee. “We tried looking for something like a crow bar in the house, but there isn’t any.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VrNiJaOtm
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTYY4PZ9Er
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW1Hy8qnmL
“Let me see if there’s something in the car,” said Malcom. Rhénee heard his footsteps as he walked away from the door.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39mGJR5ihu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo4ENkJlGt
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCyOH9HM2H
“Don’t worry, guys,” said Greta. “You’ll be out before you know it.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDrGHrKB2E
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJrbqDLCw0
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiqTtJmYuC
Rhénee turned around and went for the living room. Kevin followed and saw her approach the man they had tied up, still unconscious on the floor.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MRkLR2dbp
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX2tt9IJe4
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4WPFCFXWz
“Do you plan on waking him up already?” he asked.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzz5I7eJQ8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjSH4JHlGu
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1tu2EHUfB
“Not yet,” Rhénee answered as she squat next to him. “We’ll have to take him with us.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHeZPidvmQ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IR9G2fLYR
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrD7eiDzai
“Are you crazy? He just tried to kill us not too long ago.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxlwn2SpI2
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEY9onzGt7
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TEy6xPIjs
“Yes, but there’s a lot he knows that we don’t,” Rhénee stood up from the floor. “I need answers.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN6aNPIVPt
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL6wxOsE5z
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmx1cBsNYE
“I know you, but isn’t it dangerous to carry him along?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgSCajMt2G
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxLFZJxIum
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5QZ9qxLlC
“It is. But he’s the only one who can tell us what’s going on.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡholnMEuX9A
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOphCrgl3PQ
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqFE4lhQJV
Kevin shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so. Let’s hope the others will agree with your plan.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIHsC0lWsp
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3QhslBFyc
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMMbWY1L2G
They soon heard the sound of something banging the door. Malcom must have found something to break the door open.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tT5kt7NdE
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WBRPRLaG9
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbfpDtoJtu
“I hope so too,” Rhénee said as she followed Kevin to the foyer. They already found a hole right next to the door knob until Malcom removed it, drawing the door wide open.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0dSt6pf2x
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzWPxKo1VR
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vvkdDJKjQ
“You guys are okay!” Greta exclaimed as she quickly ran through the open door and went straight to hug Rhénee. Rhénee could only chuckle.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FUb44HZrX
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa9UCOimPf
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2gxyawZAS
“Don’t worry, we’re okay,” Rhénee assured her.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf3dHa9Skr
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZQwPW1dQs
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dKlBskkvs
“Do you mind explaining to us what’s really going on? Why did they lock you in here?” Malcom asked with a crowbar in his hand. “And why did they take Miss Griselda?”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0HoTortCH
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcfa4oE4a8
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQND3vXPhYW
“We don’t know. But I’m guessing the man tied up in the living room might know the answers to all that.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguhcrPuykA
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwBvEj1ypg
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYm2NSRa8J
“There’s a man in the living room?” Greta sounded surprised.475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDf1DLmOlE
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiKiSOB8uI
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dkAWqwgti
“A lot has happened and you’ll be surprised,” said Kevin. “I’m still taking a lot in.”475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aQb9FGLQL
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSs2RndhCM
475Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVXCLoWkJu
“Tell us everything,” said Malcom. “And don’t leave out any details.”8964 copyright protection471ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXllmca3tn 維尼

216.73.216.146