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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAA4oQUFQoaj
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.6Please respect copyright.PENANA5HBelLZcrX
6Please respect copyright.PENANATyQLrzcjrf
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
6Please respect copyright.PENANATYOkQPKJTj
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
6Please respect copyright.PENANArTx8FgrIOX
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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAhBIjd3c6mX
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.6Please respect copyright.PENANAGsidDZAWWP
6Please respect copyright.PENANADLBvtGcX94
"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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAw2ilHEoThO
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.6Please respect copyright.PENANAxtXCxiLTcu
6Please respect copyright.PENANAqNpixCHTcK
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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAa1SJgbcqc3
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
6Please respect copyright.PENANA2DqV09cfsc
"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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAg4EROsHn2u
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.6Please respect copyright.PENANAFfnkKXGgdU
6Please respect copyright.PENANAmuxOU48uBO
"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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAjMeZiZMaVD
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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAZDByeTrppt
"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
6Please respect copyright.PENANA5L3G1jrvSb
"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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAykyrYuE3aw
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.6Please respect copyright.PENANAY8121gWVOx
6Please respect copyright.PENANAbEWmiDbg9V
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.6Please respect copyright.PENANAjiVRnYwIHd
6Please respect copyright.PENANA5fiexPokNY
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"6Please respect copyright.PENANAO8gGXymm2z
6Please respect copyright.PENANA43u6P3Amp2
"Oh..., nothing really."6Please respect copyright.PENANACGmtWiacGq
6Please respect copyright.PENANAEUqsppFJvF
"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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAg6Va1hzlkH
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."6Please respect copyright.PENANAi33NeqFkWZ
6Please respect copyright.PENANAAuFbuBpOww
"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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAxhtMA3pNXP
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.6Please respect copyright.PENANAlc8zNIbudH
6Please respect copyright.PENANAE1p7i6JNl9
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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAx1RMkkoU5W
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.6Please respect copyright.PENANAmvQ5rl6k4f
6Please respect copyright.PENANAnxdUqKEslu
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
6Please respect copyright.PENANAIfYD8YgTnv
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.6Please respect copyright.PENANAfS5diyWFBF
copyright protection2PENANAJ0HVhUsIDx