The sound of her phone ringing made Greta jump in her seat; startled. She quickly withdrew it from the pocket of her jean jacket. Kevin was calling. She quickly swiped the answer call icon and put the phone to her ear.334Please respect copyright.PENANAxvPhWO2bIq
334Please respect copyright.PENANA3cdYRP0qip
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.334Please respect copyright.PENANAHMmkloAyXD
334Please respect copyright.PENANATwFHIa7qcw
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.334Please respect copyright.PENANAX8UcuNifGZ
334Please respect copyright.PENANA9RSkuAXYz3
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAkU2tZk3F4a
334Please respect copyright.PENANAULYcqYKipx
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.334Please respect copyright.PENANAK7nGmxCWRC
334Please respect copyright.PENANALHTJrh9reQ
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"334Please respect copyright.PENANALoZUQVGoeK
334Please respect copyright.PENANAeXqtiTHAY2
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."334Please respect copyright.PENANAioKuBzWd6P
334Please respect copyright.PENANAygwAkWnCoA
"What kind of trouble?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAfTYsslEPU9
334Please respect copyright.PENANAYkgogi9dun
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAMezKJOHqDV
334Please respect copyright.PENANApN3Iqtg7Ud
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.334Please respect copyright.PENANAW1NFxUUaQ1
334Please respect copyright.PENANAcb7fFMRNof
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."334Please respect copyright.PENANAN1GPcbVHem
334Please respect copyright.PENANAvf1393mGUm
"That's good. She needs to rest."334Please respect copyright.PENANAaxJeRKl6it
334Please respect copyright.PENANA40ociG8oyX
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAxOJRa5hicy
334Please respect copyright.PENANAYdjOVG62nG
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."334Please respect copyright.PENANAUYghxxq1jJ
334Please respect copyright.PENANAoTUYDKGPTs
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"334Please respect copyright.PENANA4FrkYhVKo2
334Please respect copyright.PENANA1KFnGIZ2ic
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."334Please respect copyright.PENANApeJIJSRlMv
334Please respect copyright.PENANAETeKmrbtXN
"Ya, sure."334Please respect copyright.PENANAH00PRUaW7V
334Please respect copyright.PENANAuFwifhzRrn
Kevin cut the line and Greta placed her phone aside onto the chair she was sitting on. She really hoped everyone was alright, especially Malcom.
Miss Marie shifted her body to the side and for a moment, Greta thought she might wake up. But she continued to sleep. Greta felt relieved. She didn't want to be the one answering her if she woke up. She wouldn't like to hear that Rhénee had gone in search of the cottage all by herself.334Please respect copyright.PENANAAfv5iUvk55
334Please respect copyright.PENANAhzUicCDPX7
Greta stood up from the chair. She was thirsty and needed water. She made her way to the door when her phone started to ring again on the chair. She quickly went back for it and almost dropped it when she saw her mother calling.334Please respect copyright.PENANA4LOun2i7FI
334Please respect copyright.PENANAD5bKyIVYxC
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.334Please respect copyright.PENANA1mnwEiHcQX
334Please respect copyright.PENANAF1Sl1xp4x2
She had to answer the call. She had a mother who is always suspicious of everything. Miss Griselda stirred in her sleep. Greta knew her phone's ringtone was disturbing her, so she had no choice but to answer.334Please respect copyright.PENANARHNv4cIR9Q
334Please respect copyright.PENANACYtOiihGQQ
"Hi, mum," she said, trying to sound as normal as possible.
"Finally, one of you answers your phone," came her mother's voice. "You and your brother left without telling me where you've gone."334Please respect copyright.PENANAVb70y8xUte
334Please respect copyright.PENANAFOkP9W9o8G
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."334Please respect copyright.PENANAEFaIH8mFbd
334Please respect copyright.PENANAk4Ug9Okxd3
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAdZkfrQkitU
334Please respect copyright.PENANAZ94jnfeFaF
Greta's eye twitched in irritation. She wondered if her mother would still be calling even when they decide to move out of the house.334Please respect copyright.PENANAV9ufMdy9S6
334Please respect copyright.PENANAcGyxztOaP2
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."334Please respect copyright.PENANA1AfrYMbBip
334Please respect copyright.PENANAGTQKntb330
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."334Please respect copyright.PENANAOrvILip2F3
334Please respect copyright.PENANAebYW63Hjao
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."334Please respect copyright.PENANAzInDYisYQd
334Please respect copyright.PENANA2ll6kvSIP1
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."334Please respect copyright.PENANAPng6CKTbv7
334Please respect copyright.PENANA5VEtUV1rtK
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.334Please respect copyright.PENANA8eBDNuqn2W
334Please respect copyright.PENANAiawpsebr0Z
"What did you say?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAlnw1btJWyE
334Please respect copyright.PENANA0KkMYjg2iZ
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."334Please respect copyright.PENANA4NTBtb4mbD
334Please respect copyright.PENANAhaM1QkrAZw
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."334Please respect copyright.PENANARVTVqOuzZn
334Please respect copyright.PENANAem0Ep4Vupg
"Mum, we aren't five year olds you've to check up on all the time. It gets really annoying, and it's embarrassing, especially in front of my friends. Whenever they see you're the one calling, they make fun of me."334Please respect copyright.PENANAEFdx1WoFSU
334Please respect copyright.PENANA4nqCMZJdYr
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."334Please respect copyright.PENANAXdoIyLuLNH
334Please respect copyright.PENANAUpP0buJjTp
"Sometimes I feel it's more than that. It's like you check up on us to see if we just dropped dead or something."
There came a long silent pause at the other end and Greta knew she had struck a nerve. She will definitely receive an earful when she gets back home.334Please respect copyright.PENANAaIUksxCpP3
334Please respect copyright.PENANAUWJWaOxEOF
"Tell him to call if you reach him," came Mrs. Derrand's voice, now cold and grim that it sent chills down Greta's spine.334Please respect copyright.PENANADJWT3enogo
334Please respect copyright.PENANAcByobWt0vH
Greta didn't say anything as she quickly cut the call and squeezed her phone tightly that it would break. She's really in trouble now. She knew she shouldn't have said that. But sometimes her mother pushed her to say things she didn't want to. Now she's in a hot mess.
She hoped the others would show up soon, especially Malcom. They would have to try calm their mother down. If she wanted, she would go looking around town for the both of them, and that would be a disaster.334Please respect copyright.PENANA2LGTnVu3gl
334Please respect copyright.PENANAr0CpKRU8N2
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."334Please respect copyright.PENANAV2BCr7dGYx
334Please respect copyright.PENANAmDbPKgxsj1
A murmuring sound came from the bed. Greta turned and saw Miss Griselda slowly sitting up.
"Greta?" Miss Griselda asked with sleepy eyes. "What are you doing here? Where's Rhénee?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAs8BVAlfxLf
334Please respect copyright.PENANA4JCOesjcRg
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.334Please respect copyright.PENANAkL7h4k4vGu
334Please respect copyright.PENANAJhvsD1qj5R
"You must need some water," said Greta as she started to make her way out of the room. "You just stay right there."
"Huh? Greta, wait-" Miss Griselda called out to her.334Please respect copyright.PENANAbHT0W10PaL
334Please respect copyright.PENANA3WRZipNv1R
"I'll be right back," Greta said as she stopped by the door and turned to Miss Griselda. "I'll tell Rhénee that you're finally awake."334Please respect copyright.PENANAsE7FBPybTY
334Please respect copyright.PENANAnzQyBxlMSx
Miss Griselda didn't say anything else as she leaned back on the headboard of the bed, looking a bit relaxed. Greta quickly left, walking down the hall and then the stairs. She knew her little lie had calmed Miss Griselda down. But when she goes back up there without Rhénee, she will have a lot of explaining to do.334Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5JkYps4bU
334Please respect copyright.PENANAAkBA2EJgWx
"Oooh, you guys better be on your way back right now," Greta said as she reached the bottom of the stairs and headed for the kitchen. "I doubt if I'll be able to handle Miss Griselda alone."334Please respect copyright.PENANAiyBayaZqjf
334Please respect copyright.PENANAldLRPHlhka
***334Please respect copyright.PENANAGXFf5araPW
334Please respect copyright.PENANAe5XMYKt3C5
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.334Please respect copyright.PENANAlxjfNAVzju
334Please respect copyright.PENANAglIkPdUcrh
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.334Please respect copyright.PENANANmzOE2PpBg
334Please respect copyright.PENANAElZJTjRL0N
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.334Please respect copyright.PENANAdHi62UAlNQ
334Please respect copyright.PENANAgpr48RHVbd
"You heard me," she said, not looking at him as she put the bloody wet cloth in the tub and got an alcohol-free wipe towel from its box on the floor beside her. She wiped the towel around his wound.334Please respect copyright.PENANAzHiWkF98qs
334Please respect copyright.PENANAuLLkcGt4jX
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.334Please respect copyright.PENANAPns1fUlwD4
334Please respect copyright.PENANAAx58O3cZcK
The two of them were in Miss Marie's bathroom. Malcom sat on the edge of the bathtub, shirtless, while Rhénee attended to his wound.334Please respect copyright.PENANAiXxnjpMzPI
334Please respect copyright.PENANAUZ7gyqKwCx
She soon took non-adhesive pads that laid on the wash basin, laying one on the entry and the other on the exit wound. She was glad the bullet had gone straight through. If it didn't, removing it would have been complicated.334Please respect copyright.PENANAql9VfwkvoJ
334Please respect copyright.PENANAOCVuxSnh1p
She took a bandage and wrapped it over his shoulder so as to hold the pads in place. She continued to add more layers of it until it felt just right.334Please respect copyright.PENANAtXEKgzodvG
334Please respect copyright.PENANAGujSRM70KG
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.334Please respect copyright.PENANAXv7E6Hiewl
334Please respect copyright.PENANA8zAPQBIRJp
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."334Please respect copyright.PENANAUoL4x1d6Pt
334Please respect copyright.PENANAf4SN0l1Btf
"Oh, it isn't talent," said Rhénee as she started to clean up the mess on the floor and putting back all the equipment she was using in the tiny cabinet above the wash basin.334Please respect copyright.PENANAbhUdS7SJaQ
334Please respect copyright.PENANAwo5HYDzF1e
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."334Please respect copyright.PENANAfOlz9rb9l5
334Please respect copyright.PENANASLlOgUqXGa
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.334Please respect copyright.PENANAea917PDl0w
334Please respect copyright.PENANA3BZLBQQo73
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAEjGPVQU8de
334Please respect copyright.PENANA3wFFGzdtLm
Rhénee didn't answer as she looked at him and he looked back at her. There came a brief moment of silence between them until a knock came at the door and Rhénee told whoever was there to come in.334Please respect copyright.PENANAUheFLQ4YQN
334Please respect copyright.PENANAAjURnSw3Cu
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.334Please respect copyright.PENANAayTzEAaK3H
334Please respect copyright.PENANAvHJIWaoVGd
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."334Please respect copyright.PENANAL431b4ujwk
334Please respect copyright.PENANA25XBs3A1BH
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.334Please respect copyright.PENANAmbhT8PCD5E
334Please respect copyright.PENANAmTMFMnZQEj
"I know," said Malcom as he smirked. "I'm also impressed that I couldn't help but ask where she learnt all of this from."334Please respect copyright.PENANA2mBoSLqvQN
334Please respect copyright.PENANAspaYnNW2IV
"That question isn't necessary," said Rhénee as she threw Malcom a look. "I was part of the Red Cross team in my high school days."334Please respect copyright.PENANAXbvQiV1eej
334Please respect copyright.PENANAYAH6pEMgzC
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAVrEz2Zt5T4
334Please respect copyright.PENANAy2lqaftTpe
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."334Please respect copyright.PENANA6q5lF3fZuJ
334Please respect copyright.PENANAbbAdxTpG4Z
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.334Please respect copyright.PENANAvbVhGxfATW
334Please respect copyright.PENANAP2YooSxP8b
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"334Please respect copyright.PENANABb78dv7eh4
334Please respect copyright.PENANAaIBVhKwyy2
Kevin and Malcom didn't ask her any further. Rhénee turned around to look at the wash basin, avoiding the mirror in front of her and their prying eyes.334Please respect copyright.PENANAitmDNmsNxt
334Please respect copyright.PENANAzhdVHj6neG
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."334Please respect copyright.PENANAhZwxwjy3lK
334Please respect copyright.PENANAlgBQWXR7ew
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAwia4WSB9NN
334Please respect copyright.PENANAVZTk37Wd6R
"Ya, I'm fine," she answered as she looked at herself in the mirror and then turned around, heading out of the bathroom. She almost bumped into Kevin who moved aside just in time.334Please respect copyright.PENANAprC7u0HxT2
334Please respect copyright.PENANA9cHdNvDm5e
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.334Please respect copyright.PENANAGgt7BztlRn
334Please respect copyright.PENANAWlgOIeKB3d
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.334Please respect copyright.PENANANbnVaJSD8R
334Please respect copyright.PENANACRx6WXBKw4
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAxC4fhZ9jgd
334Please respect copyright.PENANAjKaPDbcd5Z
Malcom looked at the open door. "Most people who have killed for the first time usually aren't themselves. They tend to be all nervous and tense that it's hard for them to stay calm. Rhénee on the other hand, has been calm till now. She hasn't freaked out or did anything nerve-racking. Even when she was patching up my wound, she didn't shiver at all."334Please respect copyright.PENANASpiCSiR7ce
334Please respect copyright.PENANAMRFmdmftVI
"Do you think she's killed before?"334Please respect copyright.PENANARaloBLRoMv
334Please respect copyright.PENANA3SnURdWwVb
"She doesn't look like a killer. But it's either she has and she doesn't want to talk about it or it really is her first time and she's pretty good at handling her anxiety."334Please respect copyright.PENANA3q6aoSRSOz
334Please respect copyright.PENANAOoGyXmEEU2
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.334Please respect copyright.PENANAi6gzgmpxI7
334Please respect copyright.PENANAZ20Q3hSDzT
"You saw how she shot the guy. I would call her a sniper if I had known that she could handle the gun so well. She made sure not to miss. Or maybe she just got lucky, and that rarely happens for first timers."334Please respect copyright.PENANAlkX84C0mtO
334Please respect copyright.PENANAfBzxOcd7Dd
Kevin clenched his hands into fists as he also looked at the door. "But Rhénee isn't a killer," he said. "That much, I know. She did what she did for you. You would be dead if it wasn't for her."334Please respect copyright.PENANABXYlWwoahE
334Please respect copyright.PENANAbwd2XCZjXP
Malcom looked at Kevin and knew he was right. In his heart, Malcom knew Rhénee isn't a killer. But the display she had shown back in the forest made him curious about her even more.334Please respect copyright.PENANAkz9eSbQBcT
334Please respect copyright.PENANA3wfqdvMIiO
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.334Please respect copyright.PENANASxyvtnmXCI
334Please respect copyright.PENANAJMGnp6drt1
Just as Kevin and Malcom walked out of the bathroom, Miss Marie appeared down the hall, approaching them with a grey sweatshirt in her hands.
"Here you go, Malcom," she said as she handed it over to him. "This belonged to my grandson, Miguel. He doesn't wear it anymore."334Please respect copyright.PENANAeGvsD6KffE
334Please respect copyright.PENANAxHbBT3PmM4
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.334Please respect copyright.PENANArWrxwdpbnq
334Please respect copyright.PENANAoidaTN14ul
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.334Please respect copyright.PENANAmY0Hyc9Kml
334Please respect copyright.PENANA1jLgLRin9s
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."334Please respect copyright.PENANAOhUmll9AjV
334Please respect copyright.PENANARfzaFdGCRL
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.334Please respect copyright.PENANAUmjYSSOgoO
334Please respect copyright.PENANAJutcngufMA
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.334Please respect copyright.PENANAKxmgS9j7LY
334Please respect copyright.PENANAIy2XMwHpWP
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.334Please respect copyright.PENANAlivc6VHwgS
334Please respect copyright.PENANAolP7M7Oj7E
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."334Please respect copyright.PENANASFOpRqS6qu
334Please respect copyright.PENANABNqVW6jZ4T
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."334Please respect copyright.PENANANslqLAecC6
334Please respect copyright.PENANA5TWl1h3X2I
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.334Please respect copyright.PENANAsMY4g6RECR
334Please respect copyright.PENANAEMCuuOPSOC
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."334Please respect copyright.PENANAfxwqjoDDO2
334Please respect copyright.PENANAj7BciTQN1J
No response came from the living room and Miss Marie went over to check. She stood at the open doorway leading to the living room.334Please respect copyright.PENANAfQVLbQW3Du
334Please respect copyright.PENANAge4AmaJIf3
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAPTutNbCtxH
334Please respect copyright.PENANAbVd2kB8MKl
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 334Please respect copyright.PENANAL2kGJxjkXg
334Please respect copyright.PENANAgvk8wIocW5
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.334Please respect copyright.PENANAJGtXGOnDyn
334Please respect copyright.PENANAfxQgOQI1MY
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.334Please respect copyright.PENANA2Blyz5SEdy
334Please respect copyright.PENANAacYcFWH0F3
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.334Please respect copyright.PENANAxVzwYN5J1z
334Please respect copyright.PENANAFegINN8JWZ
Malcom didn't answer as he swung the door open and walked out of the foyer. His heart settled when he stood at the doorstep. He looked at the car parked outside and saw Rhénee seated on the car's bonnet. She looked to be lost in thought with her arms folded. Sophie, the cat, sat right at her feet and also seemed to be staring off in a distance.334Please respect copyright.PENANAZOBLcGR1E4
334Please respect copyright.PENANAfzx9IlXtCn
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."334Please respect copyright.PENANAdeKIukyJ0h
334Please respect copyright.PENANA2nLhHc9IwW
"Me too," said Malcom as he continued to look at her. He noticed that Rhénee looked all worn out and tired. And a little sad too. He wondered what she could be thinking about.334Please respect copyright.PENANAPNHFXwbgxq
334Please respect copyright.PENANAnrZVhXPGMJ
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.334Please respect copyright.PENANAhqj6LdEdfF
334Please respect copyright.PENANA7u912eFkgy
Rhénee turned towards Miss Marie, lifted herself up from the car's bonnet and walked back inside Miss Marie's yard. Sophie remained by the car.334Please respect copyright.PENANAdCV8yRfTkB
334Please respect copyright.PENANA5vQ70ZJBVc
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.334Please respect copyright.PENANAmTMcNArLGn
334Please respect copyright.PENANAdzk4wK8nps
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."334Please respect copyright.PENANAJnD4t2fGs0
334Please respect copyright.PENANA0JcffcZ4GV
Rhénee scoffed, then sighed. "But I took a life," she said. "I don't think she would be proud of that."
"Her life wasn't that perfect either, you know?"334Please respect copyright.PENANA6A8uZIodHv
334Please respect copyright.PENANAWE7yXkW3iV
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAGSXAXiykVb
334Please respect copyright.PENANAuhS7dNQHpJ
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."334Please respect copyright.PENANAHvnf2bbDQ6
334Please respect copyright.PENANA6qVFo5h1nh
Rhénee remembered Miss Marie using the exact same words when she gave her the gun back in the forest. Except this time, she included Rhénee in the sentence.334Please respect copyright.PENANAUycmcUbS0Y
334Please respect copyright.PENANARNMOr7qd85
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.334Please respect copyright.PENANAn2ijvUCBfv
334Please respect copyright.PENANAUbkIaWYoyX
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.334Please respect copyright.PENANAHUxmQOX2QY
334Please respect copyright.PENANAPfZSGMDRjI
"Don't argue with me, Miss Marie," said Rhénee as she took one of Miss Marie's hands and placed the gun on her palm. "You need it more than I do. I still need you alive."334Please respect copyright.PENANAYchoneGQOh
334Please respect copyright.PENANAQaOMxK7WhW
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.334Please respect copyright.PENANAT3FPI18a2K
334Please respect copyright.PENANA48VZ5JyjJj
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."334Please respect copyright.PENANAvERCtwgZGf
334Please respect copyright.PENANA6vYOQl6PW0
"I'll take care of myself as best as I can." Rhénee looked past Miss Marie at Kevin and Malcom who had been standing by the doorstep, watching them. She gestured with her head that it's now time to go.334Please respect copyright.PENANAyXCxmqFlIr
334Please respect copyright.PENANAX00yuj7Ja5
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.334Please respect copyright.PENANA5UgNG7vVgd
334Please respect copyright.PENANAsTfvZdM5BJ
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."334Please respect copyright.PENANAL0pClkZGxj
334Please respect copyright.PENANAQfe3vbI8Q5
"We will," said Kevin.334Please respect copyright.PENANAHFCsPlyvK6
334Please respect copyright.PENANAugsf8OK6aW
Rhénee, Malcom and Kevin made their way to the car. Malcom took the wheel with Kevin right beside him and Rhénee sat at the back with Sophie curled up on her lap. Rhénee looked out of the window and waved at Miss Marie who also waved back.334Please respect copyright.PENANA8G4h5Usjw4
334Please respect copyright.PENANA6dtNFkMZ0Q
The car drove away from the little neighbourhood. After a few seconds, Kevin couldn't help but turn and look at Rhénee. Rhénee noticed and looked back at him.
"What?" she asked.334Please respect copyright.PENANAAvEsZKygsL
334Please respect copyright.PENANAxooG1I33O1
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."334Please respect copyright.PENANAdrM0tWblNg
334Please respect copyright.PENANABNRfEw5UWp
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.334Please respect copyright.PENANAymFmdnkEbn
334Please respect copyright.PENANAClLLa0ar4w
Within a few seconds, the front gate of Rhénee's mansion came in sight. The car went inside the premises and packed in front of the fountain.334Please respect copyright.PENANAnYuwe5dMrN
334Please respect copyright.PENANAIeTpSgZ5Ku
Rhénee came out of the car first with Sophie in her arms and started her way to the front door. Kevin came out seconds later and called out to her:334Please respect copyright.PENANA4v814EUGiZ
334Please respect copyright.PENANA0DyEPeAYDB
"Rhénee, wait!"334Please respect copyright.PENANAog8tdWGO1Z
334Please respect copyright.PENANAnsDw4FRHK9
Rhénee had almost reached the door when she turned to look at Kevin now approaching her. Malcom took his time in the car, waiting to see what Kevin was going to do.334Please respect copyright.PENANAQmIvI4Kopg
334Please respect copyright.PENANA3npcekgplC
"What is it, Kevin?" Rhénee asked.
Kevin hesitated for a moment and that made Rhénee raise an eyebrow. Sophie jumped out of her arms and walked away.334Please respect copyright.PENANAoLHBtdu7nb
334Please respect copyright.PENANAaczD937Kol
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.334Please respect copyright.PENANAKJ7VlrzfUj
334Please respect copyright.PENANAdzYPb4dmov
"I'm tired."334Please respect copyright.PENANADoQZbGdJyc
334Please respect copyright.PENANAeHDHIY4buh
"Really? I don't think that's it."334Please respect copyright.PENANAKKkStTMJhO
334Please respect copyright.PENANAFG4gN3sJey
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAEqAbYbSW6Z
334Please respect copyright.PENANAKqeKDZHKsm
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"334Please respect copyright.PENANApaTtkbv7rc
334Please respect copyright.PENANARkjLOPkoeU
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"334Please respect copyright.PENANA1reOSt0DmU
334Please respect copyright.PENANAkofzcWgyi3
Kevin got caught there. He opened his mouth but no words came out. He looked away and scratched the back of his head, feeling stupid for having started the conversation. Rhénee sighed deeply and looked even more depressed. Kevin looked at her. Her eyes looked like she hadn't slept in days.334Please respect copyright.PENANAeT9hLnDV1c
334Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4fkCM6P6H
"I don't think you're a killer, Rhénee," said Kevin. "But I know what happened must have affected you no matter how composed you're posing to be."334Please respect copyright.PENANAd3ytcP77jE
334Please respect copyright.PENANAMtpDlg5h5k
"I'm not ready to talk about it. Let's just drop it, okay?" Rhénee's eyes were fixed on Kevin's chest yet her mind was elsewhere.334Please respect copyright.PENANAUzO9WkeKYk
334Please respect copyright.PENANA3vgRiUPjHv
"I'll because Miss Griselda might be awake and seeing you like this will make her sad too. But promise me that you will talk to me about it."334Please respect copyright.PENANATFIGkAxOkp
334Please respect copyright.PENANAHtE9MbhRoh
Rhénee looked up at Kevin and put up a sad smile. Kevin's insides shook at her expression. He didn't like to see her sad. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her to show that she wasn't alone in all this.334Please respect copyright.PENANA2sXrvVdhSS
334Please respect copyright.PENANA2AqUx4tiKB
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.334Please respect copyright.PENANA1gt3LK28Qo
334Please respect copyright.PENANAf7BUIhx2bF
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.334Please respect copyright.PENANAQmuvXCrd3Q
334Please respect copyright.PENANAJleW30p5Fe
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"334Please respect copyright.PENANA9TgofGJXyw
334Please respect copyright.PENANA9SEBfIXeLT
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."334Please respect copyright.PENANA5GpsM5OKap
334Please respect copyright.PENANARQOKjcj4ow
"Good. Let's go."334Please respect copyright.PENANAZBlZH1F0MS
334Please respect copyright.PENANAKdmKLfac3X
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:334Please respect copyright.PENANAC2fr6Xz77o
334Please respect copyright.PENANAfxvPYPOUSw
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."334Please respect copyright.PENANAiRH5Op4f9n
334Please respect copyright.PENANAecXEprrDhn
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."334Please respect copyright.PENANARyuBsaJR1i
334Please respect copyright.PENANAnw9C6MzCdS
Rhénee led the way to the door, the other two following behind her. Just before she could reach it, it flew open and for a second, it looked like it had opened all on it's own. But soon enough, Greta came into view behind the door with a glass of water in her hand.334Please respect copyright.PENANAnoHOnyQ0fI
334Please respect copyright.PENANAcp4RxxyIUi
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."334Please respect copyright.PENANAywBVaEQPLa
334Please respect copyright.PENANAWN3sjoEQdh
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.334Please respect copyright.PENANArcD8cEL6bC
334Please respect copyright.PENANAjYfNIbpLJK
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."334Please respect copyright.PENANAqiUaKFnG1p
334Please respect copyright.PENANAepZaR7otUb
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.334Please respect copyright.PENANA29F9aZnNsI
334Please respect copyright.PENANAcos5O0VRqh
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.334Please respect copyright.PENANAkKEpvxP3JG
334Please respect copyright.PENANAgsDeDyCBw7
"Nothing that you should be worried about," said Greta. "Miss Griselda just woke up and she really wants to see you. I told her that you were down here. I hadn't told her you left."334Please respect copyright.PENANAEGM0S36Rue
334Please respect copyright.PENANAjRSWOEbVfT
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."334Please respect copyright.PENANAPmaYAnDXyR
334Please respect copyright.PENANALw27VgR6LY
"Wait, you can't see her looking like that. You're a mess. And whose blood is that on your clothes? Did you get injured?"334Please respect copyright.PENANATRTU3RwoCZ
334Please respect copyright.PENANANjkr1Ai3H2
Rhénee hadn't realised how messy she looked as she stared at the bottom of her blue shirt that had a blood stain. Her trousers had a few drops on it too. She had been running for her life back in the forest, and not forgetting the injured Malcom. Greta is going to freak once she realises that it's his blood.334Please respect copyright.PENANAmbYTPmRMJk
334Please respect copyright.PENANApHc7rPGRbZ
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.334Please respect copyright.PENANAKeDurVeRS0
334Please respect copyright.PENANAdUdsvup8Kv
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.334Please respect copyright.PENANA9i2LUksU0v
334Please respect copyright.PENANATs7nYry53N
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"334Please respect copyright.PENANA2sIikbvsNS
334Please respect copyright.PENANAuPILmKvhQo
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.334Please respect copyright.PENANAMPuqZOCCJL
334Please respect copyright.PENANAGPFjkwqbWC
"That's not the shirt you were wearing today," she said. Soon, she gasped that it surprised the others that she hadn't dropped the glass in her hands.334Please respect copyright.PENANAkStu8ynFwN
334Please respect copyright.PENANAyfOM9idzgj
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.334Please respect copyright.PENANAFbsD2jwQMy
334Please respect copyright.PENANAWJcMzW1Zba
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.334Please respect copyright.PENANA6sSQbX59uj
334Please respect copyright.PENANABExVdY3R3I
Greta gave the glass to Rhénee to hold and walked over to Malcom. Malcom at the same time tried to back away, but Greta got to him quicker with her hand stretched to touch his left shoulder.334Please respect copyright.PENANAxyRQ9UNaHS
334Please respect copyright.PENANA1VGlg6PYgD
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.334Please respect copyright.PENANA0MLwIqDfxu
334Please respect copyright.PENANA1BYzA3QRpA
"Are you hurt?" Greta asked as she started to check him from head to toe for any injury. "Oh, please tell me you aren't."334Please respect copyright.PENANAlq65p5kCpD
334Please respect copyright.PENANAxzTkoLFnRX
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAJoEp0AS3yy
334Please respect copyright.PENANAWWwRibdh1g
"What other guy? Is it the one whom you ran into trouble with?" Greta asked, this time looking at her brother straight in the eyes. "Can you please tell me what happened? I'm curious to know."334Please respect copyright.PENANAmOzjARdxsL
334Please respect copyright.PENANAVhLEDBPxD8
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.334Please respect copyright.PENANAizv0zxfTK8
334Please respect copyright.PENANAqHYnuOYiFx
Rhénee hissed and slowly looked up at the stairs. There stood Miss Griselda. She didn't look as weak and vulnerable as she did the time they left her. She had a grim look on her face; the type that a mother would give her child if he or she had done something wrong. The look reminded Rhénee of her father.334Please respect copyright.PENANAtC8EHWceI1
334Please respect copyright.PENANAyGdyNpZXKR
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.334Please respect copyright.PENANAAPow9aNvI6
334Please respect copyright.PENANA0c42nSKn0v
Miss Griselda held on to the stair rail as she slowly came down. "Yes, I am, and I see that you three went to the forest."334Please respect copyright.PENANAXZje0AlRM2
334Please respect copyright.PENANALkiH3qR8Zb
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.334Please respect copyright.PENANA9i5fQaVamb
334Please respect copyright.PENANA6bandhqa7t
"Why did you go?" Miss Griselda was almost at the bottom of the stairs. "Look at yourselves. What if the worse had happened to you?"334Please respect copyright.PENANABJYBPv0jGp
334Please respect copyright.PENANAL4Z97SCZIf
"Don't blame Kevin or Malcom for this," said Rhénee. "If there's anyone to blame, it's me. I went there alone. They followed to try and protect me."334Please respect copyright.PENANADwM0rm8hXu
334Please respect copyright.PENANAuPeqW5U2LE
Miss Griselda reached the bottom and walked up to Rhénee. She gave her a look, almost like she wanted to slap her. But when she spoke, she sounded calm:334Please respect copyright.PENANAw1EH5jE74V
334Please respect copyright.PENANAQOOyDuzgBm
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7oKrJwq2F
334Please respect copyright.PENANASw8rMRWLt9
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."334Please respect copyright.PENANAxQtuAW3glJ
334Please respect copyright.PENANADnRWRfXNN0
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.334Please respect copyright.PENANAzNLDkD9HyJ
334Please respect copyright.PENANA8RAOMqmk87
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."334Please respect copyright.PENANAdQpbk5wwwr
334Please respect copyright.PENANAD8PTG2X80N
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."334Please respect copyright.PENANA8GdrF1qPso
334Please respect copyright.PENANAHY3SrbXoCd
***334Please respect copyright.PENANAxs1VWyEVNT
334Please respect copyright.PENANAgWlkbsQaf6
Lunch time was almost over and Eugene still hadn't heard word on Mr. Sinclair. He had been working with Theodore, one of his superiors over a case like he was told to and he told Mrs. Clarks to inform him when Mr. Sinclair arrived. But so far, nothing.334Please respect copyright.PENANAJsGdhFFb7a
334Please respect copyright.PENANA1wyuHZYoMw
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.334Please respect copyright.PENANAWP2LUxBqqe
334Please respect copyright.PENANAbb6RdBCTpz
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.334Please respect copyright.PENANAihec0EPuGi
334Please respect copyright.PENANAXd17wV0NcX
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.334Please respect copyright.PENANAgNMrDfscH4
334Please respect copyright.PENANAaaHRd2gsy6
She smiled at him as she tucked a long strand of her magnificent black hair behind her ear and sat opposite him. Her dark brown eyes looked at him intently.334Please respect copyright.PENANAnNJrzasHE1
334Please respect copyright.PENANAGMRz7zNrMt
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.334Please respect copyright.PENANAXmqQAZZLUC
334Please respect copyright.PENANANkOKNyKDiz
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.334Please respect copyright.PENANAlZr4HGm7yc
334Please respect copyright.PENANAi2Rm3dJXJx
"Mmm, you've barely even touched your food," Preeta gave him a dominant smile after staring into his lunch box. "Are you sure you're okay?"334Please respect copyright.PENANA6aAZxgfb6z
334Please respect copyright.PENANAPW9rFbdFwd
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."334Please respect copyright.PENANAWGiEID24AZ
334Please respect copyright.PENANAEw2HgiEnys
"Really?"334Please respect copyright.PENANA8NdKrRjvvE
334Please respect copyright.PENANA6rsjbaK7sr
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.334Please respect copyright.PENANArc5Fi0ZB88
334Please respect copyright.PENANAuUg0a1xYM8
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."334Please respect copyright.PENANAmaxG2iKe9r
334Please respect copyright.PENANAybCR2SsUR4
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.334Please respect copyright.PENANAjiTGtjNu08
334Please respect copyright.PENANAC9uc4yNWug
Preeta slowly made her way out of the staff lunchroom and she met two of her female colleagues. They seemed to be giggling and whispering to her as they made their way out of the room. One of them stared at Eugene before leaving the room with Preeta. Eugene couldn't help but blush as he stared at the door. Were they talking about him just now? He hoped not.334Please respect copyright.PENANABvyukucHOr
334Please respect copyright.PENANA4ivyjGhnVs
He brushed off the thought as he looked down at his lunch. His mother had packed him a tuna sandwich and right now, he didn't have the appetite to eat it. The thought of Mr. Sinclair bothered him to the core.334Please respect copyright.PENANAWqnHAQXQhs
334Please respect copyright.PENANAjpfHnjvlX3
Mr. Sinclair acted strangely today. It's unlike him to be so late to begin with and he didn't stay long, saying that he had to visit a friend. Eugene couldn't help but wonder who that friend was that he had to abandon work.334Please respect copyright.PENANAVxaepx5EyZ
334Please respect copyright.PENANAQFBqBRXhNo
He shouldn't be thinking too much about it. Lunch time was almost over and he had to get back to work. He had piles of paper work to take care of back in his cubicle.334Please respect copyright.PENANACws8T1pRnH
334Please respect copyright.PENANAHigQmGXiep
Eugene forced his food down in his mouth within minutes. The lunchroom was almost empty and Eugene hadn't noticed until now. He packed his lunchbox away in his carry bag and made his way out, heading towards the work area where most of his colleagues were.334Please respect copyright.PENANA1tp1lJX2Pm
334Please respect copyright.PENANAJVrH9xiHiF
Just before he could even get there, his phone in the pocket of his trousers vibrated. With his free hand, he retrieved it and looked to see who was calling: Mrs. Clarks.334Please respect copyright.PENANAcSoiwxHJX2
334Please respect copyright.PENANAS2AO2DCaT6
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.334Please respect copyright.PENANAiBixlOKaI9
334Please respect copyright.PENANALJxdxUrEjd
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAWeCw2TSHpX
334Please respect copyright.PENANACBZt3ubiqD
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.334Please respect copyright.PENANATYsrJl3gFO
334Please respect copyright.PENANA9eqPcTInOR
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.334Please respect copyright.PENANAHg99VWucBo
334Please respect copyright.PENANAMf0cjqcnqO
He put the phone back in his pocket and quickly rushed to the work area and to his cubicle to put his carry bag away.334Please respect copyright.PENANAqww1MmaU9u
334Please respect copyright.PENANAExIOs7tnOL
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.334Please respect copyright.PENANAGrrHeJLjlr
334Please respect copyright.PENANAOl4KGOgfD8
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.334Please respect copyright.PENANA2MCCfDDVWT
334Please respect copyright.PENANA6p9XsBg7KQ
Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.334Please respect copyright.PENANAz7HL8FyT18
334Please respect copyright.PENANAQtl3k7aDja
"Well, you're pretty fast," she said when he got to her desk and she looked up at him. "You must be pretty concerned about him, aren't you?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAzBNQYKxzkY
334Please respect copyright.PENANAQP1XQKETMe
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.334Please respect copyright.PENANAbFSSpVqNND
334Please respect copyright.PENANAV1V7jbWl9n
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.334Please respect copyright.PENANA0R5VWPF1zi
334Please respect copyright.PENANAgDYIW9mRoz
Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."334Please respect copyright.PENANAyNe6ifT7MC
334Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZmqqxKCtP
Eugene quickly entered the office, but made sure not to show how hasty he was. Mr. Sinclair wasn't even looking when as his eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.334Please respect copyright.PENANAKHyJEVSX7w
334Please respect copyright.PENANA5wzjYEcXYg
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.334Please respect copyright.PENANAKykzrRjoVX
334Please respect copyright.PENANAid2kpatEeZ
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.334Please respect copyright.PENANAKUt2NoVsAz
334Please respect copyright.PENANAnx1EVFQi2B
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAUL6z6lsPga
334Please respect copyright.PENANAsIAGVnla1w
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.334Please respect copyright.PENANALqguJFVVbr
334Please respect copyright.PENANA03NXtbDTRM
Mr. Sinclair dropped the newspaper onto his desk and fully turned his attention to his apprentice. Eugene had to say something before Mr. Sinclair asks what was up with him.334Please respect copyright.PENANAJqkkcAhImo
334Please respect copyright.PENANA9BEirDIZcE
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.334Please respect copyright.PENANAUOi0BtY3Nk
334Please respect copyright.PENANAVQ2ljo71uS
"Oh, you didn't have to do that, Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair as he smiled. "I just went to visit a friend. I'm always stuck in the office, so I thought today would be a good day to visit."334Please respect copyright.PENANAw97kzAmHPr
334Please respect copyright.PENANA8afwhamhmW
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."334Please respect copyright.PENANA35x3seJCmP
334Please respect copyright.PENANAfxAeqxdGGN
Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."334Please respect copyright.PENANAmhtLNCkNr3
334Please respect copyright.PENANANzGpdp7UWc
Eugene knew immediately when Mr. Sinclair picked up the paper that it's his cue to leave. He slowly started to back away from the desk.334Please respect copyright.PENANAtaLCIjuttp
334Please respect copyright.PENANATNJEPsYIsw
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."334Please respect copyright.PENANAbCpPtnGgKB
334Please respect copyright.PENANAg2mYDpdr5n
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."334Please respect copyright.PENANASO5Aonyj8m
334Please respect copyright.PENANAq1QZT5t5n1
Eugene turned around and soon found himself by the door. Just as he opened it, he looked over at Mr. Sinclair who seemed to be preoccupied with the article he was reading. He wondered who Mr. Sinclair had gone to see. That's the one question he wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. Mr. Sinclair wasn't so open about his personal life and Eugene knew he shouldn't be butting in on such issues.334Please respect copyright.PENANAvlEEn8juQy
334Please respect copyright.PENANAdGwPIH7qaX
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.334Please respect copyright.PENANAgIjDzaqgYh
334Please respect copyright.PENANAfrIhERJZTP
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.334Please respect copyright.PENANAsrW3Av3c0v
334Please respect copyright.PENANAnQ8RZaoBEh
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAVAAudgrOv4
334Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1SN4pAhp9
"Oh..., nothing really."334Please respect copyright.PENANAf3CWWNJqzn
334Please respect copyright.PENANAVW4PpVTlJ6
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."334Please respect copyright.PENANAVl7NLADChu
334Please respect copyright.PENANAE4UwJQGP4I
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"334Please respect copyright.PENANAt0NIcVnhDb
334Please respect copyright.PENANAwoZdoqarz7
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."334Please respect copyright.PENANAAUTFwkwyz6
334Please respect copyright.PENANAW2qsFke9Cb
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."334Please respect copyright.PENANAUNfCKCydUT
334Please respect copyright.PENANAuadrmWUf4b
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."334Please respect copyright.PENANAhrLzntGRQT
334Please respect copyright.PENANAgrtDv19Bgg
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"334Please respect copyright.PENANA8xVGUW1kLj
334Please respect copyright.PENANAdypvXSYtcA
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."334Please respect copyright.PENANAtR6clGdR7v
334Please respect copyright.PENANA5ctpzTFT1p
"You're weird," said Mrs. Clarks as she went on to look at the computer screen. "I wonder why the ladies around here have a crush on you with that weirdness of yours."334Please respect copyright.PENANATyKqZvKpXC
334Please respect copyright.PENANA2rzR5G27Rl
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.334Please respect copyright.PENANAGOUn1QTOrx
334Please respect copyright.PENANAV2NnpQ88bZ
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."334Please respect copyright.PENANAOyf4v9hVmn
334Please respect copyright.PENANAg7L74DU8ZV
Eugene grew even more irritated, but Mrs. Clarks didn't bother to even look at him as she pressed the keys onto the keyboard. Eugene knew she only did so just to make herself look busy.334Please respect copyright.PENANAe6gWCOrJC5
334Please respect copyright.PENANA1364obbk8Q
He made his silent retreat down the hall. What Mrs. Clarks told him soon left his mind. He had a lot of paper work to do, yet he couldn't help but think about Mr. Sinclair and his strange behaviour this morning. But who Mr. Sinclair's friend is really bothered him. Was it somebody Eugene knew? Or was he worrying too much for nothing? 334Please respect copyright.PENANAMZnoo3MVXA
334Please respect copyright.PENANAznCzxenw98
Back in Mr. Sinclair's office, Mr. Sinclair cast the newspaper aside when the phone on his desk began to ring. He took it and quickly answered the call.334Please respect copyright.PENANAtvGmCdlVlZ
334Please respect copyright.PENANAx4TO2lkWxx
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.334Please respect copyright.PENANAq46kT0I1sq
334Please respect copyright.PENANApIlRzisail
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."334Please respect copyright.PENANANj2S1KkhAb
334Please respect copyright.PENANAwCuhXxoN3i
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.334Please respect copyright.PENANAuYaRtfdopr
334Please respect copyright.PENANA4blv761P1O
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."334Please respect copyright.PENANAGiUKarlFYa
334Please respect copyright.PENANAWwqOAx8Kpl
Mr. Sinclair straigthened up on his seat as a smile appeared on his face. He knew what he was going to hear will excite him for sure.334Please respect copyright.PENANA2sNQDQ6jhZ
334Please respect copyright.PENANATjYLc1E7YO
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.334Please respect copyright.PENANApVM9YdaK8n