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“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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVzDt1t7Jq
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsPcBsSd26
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNwDnRKWFs
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL05M7qpBPx
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“Well, you don’t seem so happy to see me,” said Mrs. Derrand as he approached his bed.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaayxl0mBBL
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“Maybe it’s because I wanted to take a nap before you came in,” Malcom calmly lied.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBUhcaXiFQ
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkam1tsM0L
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“Sorry if I’m interrupting, but I just came to check on you.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus21zkFSmU
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“As you can see, I’m fine.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hDGqdlmWr
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Mrs. Derrand almost did a 180, when she stopped and turned back to look at Malcom. “Can you do me a favour tomorrow?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzYsg9bHGa
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Malcom raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG41JBgK6V
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf2Zmr0SYh
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Now Malcom is concerned. What could his mother want him to give Rhénee?472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoIVfMcZgN
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“Why should I be the one carrying out that errand? You can easily tell the driver to do that, can’t you?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmQCPSbKSB
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQusOIXR6sA
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“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?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWLulzbKbe
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWWscdjJLR
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqfclulzRL
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“And if I refuse?” he dared to ask.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7zXCKCSGr
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjaolxV5In
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“But you and Emelda weren’t the best of friends, you know.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFhNIVjg62
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHIBY1abZ4
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“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?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem7Q5mHgwj
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“Then why not take the present to her yourself?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEKJB9fET9
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6el0GYHyw
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXtnh9iHUJ
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“I’ll take it for you,” he said. “But you should be the one getting to know her better. Not me.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNvS4MVE6Q
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“Thank you, Malcom,” Mrs. Derrand said with a smile. “You should make your sister tag along.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG38YYqrjY
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“I’ll see if she'll be up for the idea.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5SY6Wp4Po
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ubpc94AXs
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“What is it?” Mrs. Derrand asked. “You don’t want your mother touching you, Malcom?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEItnqx7aM
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“Wow, mum, when you put it like that, it sounds really wrong,” Malcom said as he quickly stood up.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mG2LUU1hi
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"Sorry, dear. I just wanted to show my affection for the favour."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KxpGcea8h
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"Maybe you should do that by leaving me for now. I need to rest."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnrMUnXTzB
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His mother sighed. "When are you going to stop hating me, Malcom?"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVjhv7LUG8
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"I think you already know the answer."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7NF04aDgK
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"Whatever happened to your father..., I still regret it to this very day."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eu1NgULNa
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"Do you mum? Because it doesn't feel like it."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej6U4FBC7M
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E8NsYwZmS
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"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-"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9FJoczOh6
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"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?"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy6k9xnIrM
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Mrs. Derrand opened her mouth, but no words came out. She knew it's best for her to leave.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafK7kTn9i5
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"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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEiuyxWwJ7
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Malcom dropped his arms and clenched his hands into fists, straining his injured shoulder. He just wanted his mother to leave.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPmy3Qosa7
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWZR7xsHl9
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Mrs. Derrand went to the door and opened it. Greta gasped at the sudden sight of her mother in her brother's room.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd1icC2sAV
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"Hey, mum," said Greta, trying to compose herself.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhLUidKmxu
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Her mother gave a nod of her head and looked back at Malcom who still looked out of window. She sighed.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt7hgM0XN7
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"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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7oAPg9IwI
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFKjJSOVq2
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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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPx3ub5Fc9
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztdTVunlyD
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“Odd.” Malcom turned to look at his sister. “There should be Miss Griselda at the house. Could they not be home?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Mjb6UNuK
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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?472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV49RzVyIk
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“I would like us to go check Rhénee’s house, but I don’t think mum would want us to go out,” said Greta.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTQvpfxYek
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Malcom couldn’t agree more. Their mother would find it suspicious that they were both leaving the house together. Unless…472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxomLnClBzH
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Malcom snapped his fingers and quickly walked past his sister, heading for the door.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Gio3sqTU
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“Hey, where are you going?” Greta called out to him, as she followed.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvO8pyooN0
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Malcom stopped himself in the hall and turned to look at his sister coming behind him.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzrIRNJq7P
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“Lower your voice, I don’t want mum to hear,” he whispered to her.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcPZ6QhC52
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“What is it?” she asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlCXne1TOC
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“I want you to follow my lead. Can you do that?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLouPv4wmjM
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“Whatever plan you have, I hope it works. What am I saying? Of course, it will.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFfaO7q9BU
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTezFcxZPq8
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When he got to the door, he knocked and heard his mother behind the door tell him to come in.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70eFgxWGDf
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"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?"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VjMSkmzzv
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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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5fDrsgIm1
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Mrs. Derrand looked even more surprised. "I thought we agreed you would take it to her tomorrow."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02VxM66PMP
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"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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AixWxEHEf
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOKcCjX00o
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLjL3yBlxT
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"Here it is," she said. "Are you sure you need to take it to her now?"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDSCXbfO4j
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"I'm sure,"  Malcom answered. "I'll make sure she gets it."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4tDOU252d
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"I know you will. I'm just worried about the time. Do you two really have to be out at this time?"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwCEiTryeN
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"Come on, mum, we aren't kids anymore," Greta chirped in. "It's not that late. We haven't even had supper yet."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRTOsPZbfb
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"That's because you two weren't here that I told the cooks to delay for a little bit."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU6R3kaGWw
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"We'll be back before you know it," said Malcom. "We'll have time to chat with Rhénee later."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5neSN7mgx2
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Mrs. Derrand sighed, knowing that she didn’t have a choice. She probed Malcom to get the bag from her hand which he did.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBgRk8aMP7
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"Be careful out there," Mrs. Derrand said to them as they made their way out of the room.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqfsrmSLH6
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"Did anyone ever tell you how brilliant you are, Malcom?" Greta asked as they quickly rushed down the stairs.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWxvVSCVTv
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"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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy4SEd3qPd
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34TryZKdZW
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"I just hope they're okay," said Greta as she got in the car. Malcom had already worn his seatbelt.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTuCJ5ehPi
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"I hope so too, especially Rhénee."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyYNz20RCB
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Greta raised an eyebrow at her brother as she also wore her seatbelt. "You seem to care about her a lot lately."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBTqNekmUA
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"Is that a problem?" Malcom asked as he turned the ignition and the car's engine roared to life, not looking at his sister.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEc0BkZ3ro
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"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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWizlzkUOqR
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Malcom now turned to look at Greta. "It's like you said at first. We swore that we would protect her."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYVC8PkuxH
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdt2wHvs7A
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"I know that. But haven't you stopped to think that by doing so we're also going against our mother?" Greta asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslryRBzYrL
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"You're forgetting that we've been against her for a long time even before Emelda passed on."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRZ4cDSD9O
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"True. But what if things had been different back then? Would we be protecting Rhénee like we're now?"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuWhGfKPhN
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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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCKZhnb8gT
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Greta looked at her brother and thought about what he said. She looked ahead. "I guess you're right."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34DcqWeWf1
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“Do you regret doing this?” Malcom asked after a moment of silence had passed between them.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouCcfAOncd
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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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXFfsebBJg
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“But you don’t regret helping Rhénee out?” Malcom gave his sister a brief glance before fixing his eyes on the road again.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl2FwRc53B
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“For some funny reason, I really don’t. And you?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWTbrqOcQX
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LRNM0a4j4
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmtYwamxs4
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Malcom parked the car in front of the house and Greta immediately got out. Malcom killed the car’s engine and followed Greta.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELOd4Mpeyv
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“The place is dark and quiet,” said Greta as she walked up to the front porch. “It looks like nobody’s home.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwsPYBqNx6
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Malcom looked at the mansion and then at his sister. “Let’s try the back.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDfWGOcahY
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They went round the house and went for the kitchen back door. They weren’t surprised to find it locked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1yJDbUwvE
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“I’m guessing they must have gone to Mr. Cowell’s house,” said Malcom. “I just noticed that Rhénee’s car isn’t here.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SgSgvYLt4
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“Could she've gone with Miss Griselda?” Greta asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡismykLImKU
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“I guess so, otherwise, we would’ve found her here. Come on, let’s go to Mr. Cowell’s house.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1gqmlE2Pm
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcS407lphE
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“You watch too many horror movies,” Malcom shook his head at his sister. “Let’s go.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh6q2OUI1a
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZNZ38Qu0z
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He followed Greta and found her waiting by the car.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbEhaQXngZ
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"I thought someone had nabbed you back there," she said as he got close.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhILA8AqxWJ
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"I'm okay, as you can see," he said as he went to the driver's side and entered the car.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXtfS0vIxT
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"I really hope Rhénee is okay," Greta also followed into the car.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnWF608jDG
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"Give her a ring again." Malcom started the car. "If her phone won't go through, then there's definitely something going on."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBIuVVMWHJ
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***472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK6qr6Otbw
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"Rhénee?" Kevin called out as he heard noises coming from the livingroom.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBcqYQy9Cv
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2bLJVeOLr
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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?472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczDzeobfx7
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBb1v6vAh7
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"Kevin, help!" she called to him.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynTrEKfIOV
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqQOxO2IjJ
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"Get off of me!" the man yelled, running across the room, and in the process, hitting into the coffee table.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8Ch1eKW9k
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49AK4tMLgf
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"Kevin, help me hold him!" Rhénee called out to Kevin in front of her.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveVwkHvGaT
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs19ZeTQdIZ
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCH5ETEtew
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“We can’t hold him down for much longer,” Kevin told Rhénee. “We’ve to do something quick-”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9ErA9Mjda
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSvFkzPc9V
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“What the-?” Kevin couldn’t believe what he's seeing. “How did you do that?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnwqMh5dUP
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“I hit his pressure point,” Rhénee calmly answered. She slowly stood up taking in a few deep breaths.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8ZTZKHj4c
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“Where did you learn to do that?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5WhLmp0YA
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“I’ll explain later. We need to check if he has weapons on him.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZkAkiR3Ce
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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?472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWqVWMG5IH
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“I guess this is important,” said Kevin as he passed the phone to Rhénee.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oVTGckonk
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qXqt8P8dK
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“Maybe he was going to cut off whatever is jamming it after he finished the job. We just have to find it.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPp7K06tUo
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“Let’s tie him up first. Who knows when he might come around.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F9kmMZiJO
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“I thought he will be unconsciousness until you touch his pressure point again.” Kevin stood up from the floor.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp1lEGc3AV
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“Not always. There’s a limit, you know?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgMwToiO7o
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“I think I saw rope somewhere in the kitchen.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGldt1njYkZ
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjdNoFjtyV
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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?472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV5rk45BNr
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmGenqsKgc
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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?472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V3j05eCsI
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG05lRFkagj
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“What’s that?” Kevin asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG3sEsqxQF
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“A key,” Rhénee answered as she stood up and held up the chain for Kevin to take a look.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP0nxaI0qy
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“Do you think it’s important?” Kevin raised an eyebrow.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz4zN8p0bD
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qUdAD4V2C
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“How sure are you that it’s upstairs?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXE9bs7X2T
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“Because that’s where he has been hiding this whole time. It’s obviously up there.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbKzH1KIY1
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZNtAbq9DJ
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmhLR2SQHR
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKkeJyUJIU
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CB8OIIxQP
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYmhBdeZVr
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM8ksytl9a
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"Just how many secret places does this house have?" Rhénee asked herself aloud.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuVhIbQZK0
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzonMbAGUtg
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“Kevin!” she shouted, bringing herself out of the closet. “You’ve to see this!”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDuQNluPLe
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She heard quick, heavy footsteps and Kevin soon came with his light pointed at Rhénee. “What is it? Are you okay?” he asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHP6UhCR6s
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"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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kx2HH1ord
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlljrilfc4n
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"Was this man preparing for war?" Rhénee asked as she looked at Kevin.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgV5DA1yMa
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"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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrom3bhnx7J
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"He isn't some war veteran, is he?" Rhénee got out of the wardrobe, her eyes still fixed on the guns.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl767m1wEEK
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Kevin shook his head. He had a worried look on his face and Rhénee thought it best that they move on.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM9hnYGd91
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"Come on, we can worry about that later," she said as she went back in the wardrobe to slide the wall shut.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7on8iwauV
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"So many things are happening today," said Kevin. "It's kinda hard to process it."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ6y3W13Gw
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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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMcYhsHVDg
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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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzoKwTpmIg
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghVdO0PWZ4
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"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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJo4Hj6hOf
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDopVROrszk
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"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?"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGiitCpObo
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuRTofVstl
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"I know. But you don't decide what I do. I'm here to protect you willingly."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB8DVQEKu2
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Rhénee noticed Sophie stand right next to her. She sighed. "Let's go check the other rooms. We can't waste any more time."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYtvsyGSor
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lmTC8Zj0Q
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"You're right."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABMuMaXk0j
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyVtQM9Qq5
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H9IfYUcfJ
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw6nojEaQG
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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:472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwClDDDqoBK
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“Kevin, did you find it?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZr4URwZEq
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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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaV6IgFJj4
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SHBVM9mQ2
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesXAPLIt6z
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Kevin cut the call and said to Rhénee: “they are on their way.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2yA8Fzp0U
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“Where did you find the device jamming the signal?” Rhénee asked as she approached Kevin down the hall.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnKz9JVSL3
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“Hidden behind some books on a shelf,” he answered.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszQuYm7oor
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“Good work. Found anything else interesting?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7NvXiT1Qq
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe19H4Z1JNf
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“Kevin, you’ve to see this?” She quickly found herself approaching him.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgdh1M3Cdx
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“Isn’t it the man’s phone?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8xSAQp3cC
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“It is, and the message he got might be the clue to finding Miss Griselda.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBXOU3Glfv
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Rhénee showed Kevin the message which read:472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhltBQNr2qO
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“After the job is done, meet me at the … bridge.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q0mLcJOmD
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"Could it be Mr. Cowell?" Kevin asked, looking wide-eyed at Rhénee.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7damRBmSG
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"It could be, or it must be the person they're working for," she answered.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznEFGEESaz
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"Reply to them saying that you've got the message. They might find it a little suspicious that they didn't give any response."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ddfymKad6
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"Judging by the time the message was sent," Rhénee continued to look at the phone, "we were already here with Miss Griselda."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHvzIhYcUp
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"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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD8J8PlhaZ
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"We can send a message telling them that the job is done and we'll be heading to the bridge right away," Rhénee suggested.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypZ288Z5Cz
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"That's okay, but that's if we can find a way out of here," said Kevin.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vMSiqg9i5
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAblBstakA7
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"Malcom!" Rhénee called to him.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm5NNnTuPF
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"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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz582rs8IZ
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"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."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthsrX2teCN
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"And what of Miss Griselda?" Malcom asked. "There was no one at the house. Is she with you?"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xz4enTZn8
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IA5fgKeN4
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"She was with us," Kevin answered, as he continued to stare at Rhénee, then back at the door.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXviV9LTJg
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"What do you mean 'was?'" Malcom asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj09LLkB5VP
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Kevin looked at Rhénee, willingly for her to answer that. She swallowed before she said:472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2mfEmKbBi
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"She was with us at first but she isn't anymore. She's been kidnapped."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauhT9kdAOw
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"What!" Greta exclaimed. "And what about Mr. Cowell? Isn't he there with you? How's he doing?"472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdJGPQwHZU
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"That's the thing," Rhénee quickly started to say, "he was never injured."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0QFOWZ2OL
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"Huh?" Malcom and Greta sounded surprised by the whole thing. Rhénee could only imagine the look on their faces.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL3A978kNl
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"How come? Is all this some sort of setup?" Malcom asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7gYeEtEIg
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"Seems so," Kevin answered. "Mr. Cowell drugged Miss Griselda and left us trapped in the house. But we do know where they are."472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vzpaWkAoZ
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“Let’s get you out of here first. It seems we have to break the door from outside.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvdsL7Cpke
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“Aren’t there any keys or anything?” Greta asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw750EbwPnY
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvv6iIsUit
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“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.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNwU2SSxHb
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“Let me see if there’s something in the car,” said Malcom. Rhénee heard his footsteps as he walked away from the door.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgImI1inDS
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“Don’t worry, guys,” said Greta. “You’ll be out before you know it.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNsZk5rMTm
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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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhehJz0vGN
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“Do you plan on waking him up already?” he asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag8zgXdAE3
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“Not yet,” Rhénee answered as she squat next to him. “We’ll have to take him with us.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmVigCb3UC
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“Are you crazy? He just tried to kill us not too long ago.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW0tyHr9nJ
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“Yes, but there’s a lot he knows that we don’t,” Rhénee stood up from the floor. “I need answers.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4wGzyYBJq
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“I know you, but isn’t it dangerous to carry him along?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL7z7tWWpU
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“It is. But he’s the only one who can tell us what’s going on.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmZfv7mq0u
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Kevin shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so. Let’s hope the others will agree with your plan.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK2HRyQRy2
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They soon heard the sound of something banging the door. Malcom must have found something to break the door open.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPsl0xMjZY
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“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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfmLnHus2k
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“You guys are okay!” Greta exclaimed as she quickly ran through the open door and went straight to hug Rhénee. Rhénee could only chuckle.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h6Eggd4W0
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“Don’t worry, we’re okay,” Rhénee assured her.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qdgKKwkkN
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“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?”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XXce2h6ez
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“We don’t know. But I’m guessing the man tied up in the living room might know the answers to all that.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejFCYLCZ7I
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“There’s a man in the living room?” Greta sounded surprised.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7y3ropP3f
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“A lot has happened and you’ll be surprised,” said Kevin. “I’m still taking a lot in.”472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Y98msWwb
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“Tell us everything,” said Malcom. “And don’t leave out any details.”8964 copyright protection468ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiR6HcfIQf 維尼

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