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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL3lbm3us2
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHRXo78yyf
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX35P0wx3R1
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbkkDyoGl3
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjAPh7Oq2j
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAVHDguBqb
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCYp5qB6Dy
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuYX2o39wR
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHCc7D01yL
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWw5LLDgFO
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagIEJgsnQf
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy6pWPEZZ9
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdupSj06TM
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLmcCKmy6G
"What kind of trouble?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlejW2cBP7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYOvazpnZh
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xaH9t0aI7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTRyTXapbr
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFCinSYjNQ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAEj5nTEMY
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIhvXEyCyn
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBAhTqUbUi
"That's good. She needs to rest."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh73usMf6SS
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7sYa8kcpn
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBSBmkCcVh
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc0v14NZy3
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDiSUp4Hkk
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgksIaaKmkF
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLybeO6pD7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCJK7Cp4GC
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl84MptTLn
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HU22tDH7E
"Ya, sure."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX9jVB7k6T
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvJEeBu2IY
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.copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMLqaGSuWO
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxJKFrWUFX
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1isxixzJS
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsHCFjrWlp
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4pfptWR4e
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK4tZNEEKR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJFkh1Teqa
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVvUTXWusl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jic45gCGT
"Hi, mum," she said, trying to sound as normal as possible.copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWGp09dW6O
"Finally, one of you answers your phone," came her mother's voice. "You and your brother left without telling me where you've gone."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CZVXgmTR6
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcMholl8oU
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjh1izYBcp
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uZv4RMzWs
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl44DMWpH8
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E1AByscPg
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebIfG5tNpM
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtECKJb2JQ4
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso6yFbUDKb
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIXifRr35t
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0ENDlprqp
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUwD2GTTNV
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnEwQl1y1o
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRO2RarVyu
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKpR3Z4YjY
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyoBH1gQJ5
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNJKs0qIAP
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkadGyxd6Xs
"What did you say?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFR5xqOsLK
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkGQXvkEz8
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr6zOoMhAs
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOyJclXpRY
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeHKqqJ97i
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuDpqH8KZw
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyE8dR9xFJ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHfvHFK59T
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwIw08yZjt
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDq4oxRbpw
"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."copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97JKSeoUK0
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY9qe4qLix
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamXieWRDBx
"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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrVFYTbBLA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnG1dhqoa1
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.copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKGKNINcdj
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpRs21CEhs
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBGkUevylZ
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNdXyRRiPB
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYv1qnYTab
A murmuring sound came from the bed. Greta turned and saw Miss Griselda slowly sitting up.copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ku4NOotLY
"Greta?" Miss Griselda asked with sleepy eyes. "What are you doing here? Where's Rhénee?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTHcSLUAUO
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34AiavK6xE
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0t35hoqoP
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CjXF64SJ1
"You must need some water," said Greta as she started to make her way out of the room. "You just stay right there."copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0wjvEEexi
"Huh? Greta, wait-" Miss Griselda called out to her.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYMeJKfMqm
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7XW3l6sEI
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YNonQDK1M
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2Sx3NH99C
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwvMy0Ac0X
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7Fe3BUpE9
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv7yLcyIvy
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsVN4UGpEx
***6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkxdI5izmO
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSGpsZZ7iu
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoru6pz2AR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROf7HcPyNV
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK8BViCeIm
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCR6TXpa1C
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxZf5Nh4oE
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVN2dUJ1dP
"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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknxjMd05kx
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlVdvuZxRF
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn7SdAxEjF
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmzEFfe7G4
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2ds1lxy7x
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1UhO4uR0O
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tF1Hfe08n
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTrQxUZu4r
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rqkmV5B8f
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuIk7lajWx
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyANDa8WSqR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzP2fUlySH
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EO6DeDmtO
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw00ESG4nyY
"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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d5yJPGvQL
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GC3hi3F0B
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxWsFIWrqt
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTv54EEGvD
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3NrmtCBMt
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpdOXMTtYS
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaap5TzG5p
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwu4nEzp2Q
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC3qcyNKW0
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2oh6oxvB9
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRijmODYIc
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH9pBRUAOm
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzCahmbln3
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITGuO7G66J
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUmw1cy0Xr
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTPme4YaWr
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKzvgAE2jL
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3upA7TXvlz
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8HuG7ehEN
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc0jxoemWD
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEbNQWUHeR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3cZ8R2a86
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy8FiLaHP4
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H5DK7gXDi
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehTuf6olNf
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrTuQ9FHql
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEFbjukHnl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwERUPcdM6d
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxaZozZMPv
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVbEHNueSE
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs362e4GW3E
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaFXgqs9RO
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizFEXGaNsj
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmcoBw7YKD
"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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtSjlH6y1t
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXtKSKcTw3
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLsdKwXDCA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbH6v5f2Nk
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiVeQ8jQUo
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuSQORRWzw
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3P1EUE9Nn
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2aBRlH3BL
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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjOcpWFMUC
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5O7sOXpbx
"Do you think she's killed before?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2iW1bUchs
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMtQcts8L4
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmXvDwAxKU
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ027F2EDPFn
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZde517PF56
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknas0TNhPF
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcn4N2nNe7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIAPZ8DhuI
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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DXXI513Kb
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KkKlzYmFu
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QjOLiA1Vl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku4XRoDnMr
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwrva82QuE
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYaeyywqHD
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.copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsrL5Rfn0M
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLcPsyXZgP
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DtE16QWhb
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gsEwPbxhF
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp71neWXYgt
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aOOU1pUM5
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPCAC2Wsqf
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO796pK9Z7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzz4zWo9vl
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8POHQEzObU
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoYs4QRpuY
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF2qngAHf0
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ8pOiVdte
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe7Hp1FVb1
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolNoNNUiry
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJgeZo3pBW
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtMR73S53R
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CEsGuDaFA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz8YMPBxR3
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5e1U8sl3o
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10fYV852Pi
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxSwhSib4M
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4ArFo3UO1
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzqWhm5HMg
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u7Hs6iaqL
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ydf24jHFG
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvPq3ylSlB
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppqeh7YPEP
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvagJ4H6Ad
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRllxWYruy
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh4jeF6i43
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhPBNzz8bZ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw0Uwg5OO4
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHt32xuapf
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKExdcNUrVH
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tn4YmD7tb
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTNTPiWtVo
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQULeHrXMm
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FaiJLA9VE
"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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0pN4K6L44
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbsG6za3VH
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfz2g6yjEl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUupkMfUIrR
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3ZW2l09YR
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv2IjkcKs9
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1O75KEaPz
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsjN4Kyaka
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA6mAUD9as
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxCViA5vlN
Rhénee scoffed, then sighed. "But I took a life," she said. "I don't think she would be proud of that."copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJGGxqHBRg
"Her life wasn't that perfect either, you know?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kJzeClAwW
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0LRJx9kDx
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7NURAVeho
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2c2Hus6al
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXdh20fhsB
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhY4WdN7IL
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Omt4WntqZ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21Qq5zrrEV
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmgCSKIR0O
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2yWISBpiw
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBVDJnKurw
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tY7ENpRfc
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYY9hgLFoA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SlDYZ7Dln
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx4yMaly0h
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufDrF1yIT1
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLhuBBT9Xq
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIjDaohC1o
"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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKac2mcePqP
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmwAP2RKfH
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgDOwW2NZm
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXhNdLa2bG
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjsiHnZEsY
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDgpUfdHfx
"We will," said Kevin.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHV08vppJ6
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4aC2gdsgI
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqofCw1EIQP
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHVMNQGaJL
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.copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyl2d2FYaO
"What?" she asked.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vJg4DAesg
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhJsDO77jF
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLYntpOOJm
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTtQNqNfZZ
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgae4auGLpE
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8eM77O1BZ
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFauARXEQy9
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VwquoqJrl
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:6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33CDY37J80
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W3KD1I7WL
"Rhénee, wait!"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd4iehGbnG
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIyZWdycj4
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wi4rwKTTV
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtjj0oi2Kz
"What is it, Kevin?" Rhénee asked.copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ9gxpoSjn
Kevin hesitated for a moment and that made Rhénee raise an eyebrow. Sophie jumped out of her arms and walked away.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdnP1SJan5
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2lJRAxIqQ
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfWrGOdDHF
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNweziQ64Oo
"I'm tired."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopR0haaLAV
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bPRhAoU3I
"Really? I don't think that's it."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc4p8qNZDi
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAno7VYMEVF
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJjkaJfAl3
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWfHtOlqOw
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8JoaKogc4
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQwhE9UMhs
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwEyVohUXT
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcPXFFeeDh
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtbVZJuGGY
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznyAvtZGrj
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNllD0VE8Gs
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSCiyuktxn
"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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAcMWAstD8
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJfjV9wpHs
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyrZpq1MrJ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlsY3zWdeA
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoqU8RYjQD
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDDISE9Mbf
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28lYyiWyJh
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO1neUe7Pn
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3Wf270pFk
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKn7GRV4kD
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VYVCtl14u
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGIMfZNXzW
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT1G4Y2Gjp
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXRApu3FIQ
"Good. Let's go."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Of2cOBZa
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDaEMT0vbs
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtHU81x7Xd
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNq7ChmAnF
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeijifkBc7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaPM49Hhlj
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6G9zawsQa
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9HtZWvdHv
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZgpIaSM00
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwTcp5CRvx
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkKxr0sGpf
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXS855pYLk
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ8sfwddWO
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNTDHRg04d
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpvvaesbog
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9feqPI1Wl
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUvIfh8DvP
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4MvL8UMRp
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR7B2jwLYi
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2zGr1trSk
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcZKBt13oY
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj1K5pfq5s
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1UeBCAmmH
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLseNmX32pu
"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?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCY2zOUCZJ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sOoWgprTD
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIasiHeCMnK
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrZJ0TfoMS
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2si05X5ZXX
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrBl8lIPLR
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEBek5nNJ9
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV4zUS5qDW
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zqlSOLJ9I
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1SfumAabE
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqU7slvb6r
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt7UMN0vUC
"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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdZXjL9kst
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu1TWhO4K0
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObiP6fP8Hl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGtjNeljQA
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHjw1ddtpu
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkluQCbuzpJ
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXarS7vK3l
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjnw4MVreG
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKJaeONeqO
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8bWvn798o
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBhyY3Z3da
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPH0mcxpQm
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1GrrftOk5
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b6lcoXBmS
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2wp6VBfXq
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuzY7fO8wq
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5dlP0OPaE
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpQQQSihDW
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGVfxTxLXQ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxFg15hv1D
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZfbCBw82V
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGQEmAPMfQ
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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWAHg8gjM6
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqGmN2YMYF
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGepfmGZIc
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QRavMbvDX
"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?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DopIo401C
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD0eAiMw4Q
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pZhvQHzHU
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qh6GuXimW
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:6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsVD6KGlDM
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XYQiJCH3O
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmzFgN4OAh
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cVwotBa31
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1bvsezAAu
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGb70uYQZs
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fvtiqbbfa
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZgsjOR2yw
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C4R8L7mBH
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsrisNxvxm
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjy71JreSb
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T8nYqh1Kd
***6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvExSAkcEv
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsjTehy6vR
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkQfs31Tqh
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsbjyN1Ajr
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L6vcj5LmM
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulK5a3Ai9K
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHcqVAiGOj
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgWuPhFqYg
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM8dSZ5XoI
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVk6ieh2dX
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbuxGnJwLw
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqK7spbMDZ
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3GYoe2GR7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzrLWLm6F6
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXincBtDud
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoSePscq7g
"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?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRQcrJwBAJ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5dMqEypXj
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LYJhiVnIJ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HukrjkIR6
"Really?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhHvgDwUZe
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYluQpylP3
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXI9GKgQxX
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL9m3GJDdK
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzaRwocAdc
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"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HBelLZcrX
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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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyiE4QTki0
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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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzR4DtHcBz
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDtivAib3u
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6WNOzerCd
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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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDnQ00vAdl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCDWeAS9fw
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHQaeGxqZx
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvIZee51V8
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSo7iyECNO
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsidDZAWWP
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0BbQ445gT
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwd3AG23iC
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsUslVbQGV
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtXCxiLTcu
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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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Ov3GKHUy
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThH9DWzkTc
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85cacJ577a
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP19ehs88Dz
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCYcG4XwfO
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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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m8Bjc78V7
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhISdHQIRYg
"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?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixZaGyGntt
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexALc2iHtq
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXzuOq6WhJ
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmMNlK3Bs0
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIUmEU1ndn
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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWrKGM0Y4r
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Gs0OQsyv
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdDeV3TMkD
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lje0lz9CO
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I1791lH9s
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfnkKXGgdU
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WtqUyI2CE
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq67mWGfIi
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz0CdWLdJ6
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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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ohi0riGSA
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaEsvqIGvZ
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjasmpalOg
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"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkqXHoVqnr
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURyjK3N8Nq
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDhrqcFHcW
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRcjKJbd5k
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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMs3PSfyKj
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRgNwJgZ3D
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Axdos8h0V
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QjiZXMhqB
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIC6qgsu61
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZM190CL8F
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSD0dZHPlc
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujVjeN9CMJ
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8121gWVOx
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiVRnYwIHd
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8gGXymm2z
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"Oh..., nothing really."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGmtWiacGq
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6t6akFRHV
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhfQ04Ro65
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFFSce0QDY
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyYVmVwggK
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c9lKvnehl
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi33NeqFkWZ
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGiIHNiOfl
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiBwg0UIxB
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV76p6FzdP
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtIFat7JyF
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeis8Q5yW8
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zcRXf9Sce
"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."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxn1mgOAiN
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc8zNIbudH
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Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKT1tMADau
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fhW2ynL39
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALAyRcZDPa
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElalpCtBTp
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? 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu5og2zwdJ
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6128pUUFq9
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovloLQH2Pq
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvQ5rl6k4f
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyKqNJKExz
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXFgtJa75T
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZPnoPiHza
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfsKKFmKJP
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqyQIoaFqX
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy14llD6pH
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.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUJeB1IgFB
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS5diyWFBF
copyright protection2ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0HVhUsIDx
