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.341Please respect copyright.PENANATuBNoKeW5N
341Please respect copyright.PENANA92NiQtiHwl
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.341Please respect copyright.PENANAGS7uWQxpYu
341Please respect copyright.PENANAhiliKKdNvr
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.341Please respect copyright.PENANAHCMdp9y1Q8
341Please respect copyright.PENANApgWjLTr3Jo
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"341Please respect copyright.PENANANYvd4ZvYYL
341Please respect copyright.PENANAtfWrhAPg5K
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.341Please respect copyright.PENANA9JETshHikr
341Please respect copyright.PENANAqHVUK4PTIt
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"341Please respect copyright.PENANABH6re3J41M
341Please respect copyright.PENANAiofcRh4V7q
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."341Please respect copyright.PENANAvAFD84YyWO
341Please respect copyright.PENANAFxLFMC1qPY
"What kind of trouble?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAXDuc8Viwob
341Please respect copyright.PENANAPbxpRy0Lph
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAhhqg0ZdOyn
341Please respect copyright.PENANAtYYnNGRnjL
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.341Please respect copyright.PENANAmD85FrJ9iR
341Please respect copyright.PENANAyixY49Y1qp
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."341Please respect copyright.PENANAbBbRRnEC1K
341Please respect copyright.PENANAmaXeNap4B9
"That's good. She needs to rest."341Please respect copyright.PENANAhLi7sq8Gmv
341Please respect copyright.PENANAAzDgVhOR14
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAqaVTXqK6I2
341Please respect copyright.PENANA6dlfVKWF1w
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."341Please respect copyright.PENANAj9R1BuUWo3
341Please respect copyright.PENANApATGL6GRUO
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAoBnkTYVnmI
341Please respect copyright.PENANAcpgHXBsDwF
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."341Please respect copyright.PENANA7BRjYAPy6p
341Please respect copyright.PENANA19oOA8aqlt
"Ya, sure."341Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZP8M1Hfer
341Please respect copyright.PENANAa0Cfg1TQSi
Kevin cut the line and Greta placed her phone aside onto the chair she was sitting on. She really hoped everyone was alright, especially Malcom.
Miss Marie shifted her body to the side and for a moment, Greta thought she might wake up. But she continued to sleep. Greta felt relieved. She didn't want to be the one answering her if she woke up. She wouldn't like to hear that Rhénee had gone in search of the cottage all by herself.341Please respect copyright.PENANAgHf06FBMRF
341Please respect copyright.PENANAe5tPiM9Wt5
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAeCLqNcDoru
341Please respect copyright.PENANAcp2fZ3Gm6H
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.341Please respect copyright.PENANAaOJ3oZ71k9
341Please respect copyright.PENANA85L8JQChSB
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAnixF3rKaPd
341Please respect copyright.PENANAPp3wm8FAHs
"Hi, mum," she said, trying to sound as normal as possible.
"Finally, one of you answers your phone," came her mother's voice. "You and your brother left without telling me where you've gone."341Please respect copyright.PENANANBgmza0vdY
341Please respect copyright.PENANAOXS9J0ObiS
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."341Please respect copyright.PENANA5aNDxdLm0x
341Please respect copyright.PENANAUsPwjCAPPb
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAHMzS03i8d1
341Please respect copyright.PENANA0LBUUze17w
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAqxQElOmdup
341Please respect copyright.PENANAQoaVaJyiKT
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."341Please respect copyright.PENANA9dEQS5bqbP
341Please respect copyright.PENANAfZeKrSBnx1
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."341Please respect copyright.PENANA5whT71zYzT
341Please respect copyright.PENANA7lwOjmEx54
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."341Please respect copyright.PENANA2xpQXZC4vd
341Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6HMLLZyaL
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."341Please respect copyright.PENANA9SePtRDXvG
341Please respect copyright.PENANA5bO0hUudP5
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.341Please respect copyright.PENANApB5WWB33KZ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAwbtq5JGlV7
"What did you say?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAxdWzz8blv4
341Please respect copyright.PENANADJE4Sxi3SC
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."341Please respect copyright.PENANAfUlw9IXJqw
341Please respect copyright.PENANAHEgiyxQDFa
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."341Please respect copyright.PENANABhkOpFML1C
341Please respect copyright.PENANAlfSi9mOewk
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAaxIW8Rhvsu
341Please respect copyright.PENANATkNRSPTQCm
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."341Please respect copyright.PENANAPjrKPBj3QV
341Please respect copyright.PENANA9KPWdCmusf
"Sometimes I feel it's more than that. It's like you check up on us to see if we just dropped dead or something."
There came a long silent pause at the other end and Greta knew she had struck a nerve. She will definitely receive an earful when she gets back home.341Please respect copyright.PENANAqpYbt0uvSX
341Please respect copyright.PENANAyVXNGkQKYt
"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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAgnuDOa5KI0
341Please respect copyright.PENANAvSrFU4j5GI
Greta didn't say anything as she quickly cut the call and squeezed her phone tightly that it would break. She's really in trouble now. She knew she shouldn't have said that. But sometimes her mother pushed her to say things she didn't want to. Now she's in a hot mess.
She hoped the others would show up soon, especially Malcom. They would have to try calm their mother down. If she wanted, she would go looking around town for the both of them, and that would be a disaster.341Please respect copyright.PENANA3oGjMCq2BN
341Please respect copyright.PENANAppAcb1hya9
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."341Please respect copyright.PENANAUXvXJ0DEss
341Please respect copyright.PENANAqih8lNfEnD
A murmuring sound came from the bed. Greta turned and saw Miss Griselda slowly sitting up.
"Greta?" Miss Griselda asked with sleepy eyes. "What are you doing here? Where's Rhénee?"341Please respect copyright.PENANA3ww4TVZLCz
341Please respect copyright.PENANAFQu7v3f7CR
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.341Please respect copyright.PENANA5PPom6iJE0
341Please respect copyright.PENANAdpjcCrcV2p
"You must need some water," said Greta as she started to make her way out of the room. "You just stay right there."
"Huh? Greta, wait-" Miss Griselda called out to her.341Please respect copyright.PENANAPSAy9rBQwT
341Please respect copyright.PENANArmQXeCSYLL
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANARYbgPckpai
341Please respect copyright.PENANALnAy0lIxAc
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAgOIE4hQx3M
341Please respect copyright.PENANAohKWfUFvsK
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANANTctmItNgn
341Please respect copyright.PENANAHv0uvdRdAP
***341Please respect copyright.PENANAaMLlIDHv0E
341Please respect copyright.PENANAyVhw2C9uHy
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.341Please respect copyright.PENANAToBIz81oHO
341Please respect copyright.PENANAHn8z778RTC
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.341Please respect copyright.PENANAc5DhshQDnN
341Please respect copyright.PENANAM0kD8dZHAP
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.341Please respect copyright.PENANAclPFMvpa8p
341Please respect copyright.PENANAmOgXnPa9dJ
"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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAjSR7gROZ2X
341Please respect copyright.PENANAaFepZURRIr
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.341Please respect copyright.PENANAAZ3lhKBq6j
341Please respect copyright.PENANAwkj9TY5yg3
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAfeclfkFebK
341Please respect copyright.PENANAvRrb8Vgttv
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAKkz7fEqLgT
341Please respect copyright.PENANA8xS4NkrTDh
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAcpBhspTi7g
341Please respect copyright.PENANATGqtOVVzcz
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.341Please respect copyright.PENANA0mkiddfy1p
341Please respect copyright.PENANAOXYPeknprG
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."341Please respect copyright.PENANADWxeFzIcK9
341Please respect copyright.PENANAn8XFtUdcaD
"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.341Please respect copyright.PENANABswPIdZKPe
341Please respect copyright.PENANAeH2lzIublD
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."341Please respect copyright.PENANAbBe7RdkzSi
341Please respect copyright.PENANAlwhqUNWdLQ
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.341Please respect copyright.PENANALFWljW3sPl
341Please respect copyright.PENANAEvQQeFjjAs
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAuk7KrOrqbh
341Please respect copyright.PENANA4lwghGNxjy
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAutWBAWWaM4
341Please respect copyright.PENANA8GOiM9LVL5
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.341Please respect copyright.PENANAEYm05A96f0
341Please respect copyright.PENANAdAFEQpQa8Q
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."341Please respect copyright.PENANAQvhebx99Ve
341Please respect copyright.PENANAbEkzOSQTsO
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.341Please respect copyright.PENANA3QW3jcKgmp
341Please respect copyright.PENANA3Oxpr7i5j6
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAMl2fTgNlT4
341Please respect copyright.PENANA3WMWYzhEOp
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAyQezU5IBOX
341Please respect copyright.PENANABjNokVXjNl
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAiOFz5tHcDn
341Please respect copyright.PENANABYvhdkmBX5
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."341Please respect copyright.PENANAcN9S4m4vdm
341Please respect copyright.PENANAmWmoCZPsJy
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.341Please respect copyright.PENANAKQf5TfrKBs
341Please respect copyright.PENANAA4bUqWR75s
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"341Please respect copyright.PENANATpjYznTpOk
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVJXrlQMzt7
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAJEJjswItx2
341Please respect copyright.PENANALhVgCKPRHF
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."341Please respect copyright.PENANA2oCuW3m63l
341Please respect copyright.PENANA7owRjI7mwW
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"341Please respect copyright.PENANApbHlmIisgP
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVD4oGz7fta
"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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAZyZtTBWVmZ
341Please respect copyright.PENANASif7F2wmvB
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.341Please respect copyright.PENANAKWflG9jCfd
341Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5ewGqKokM
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.341Please respect copyright.PENANAMuAmyymVbH
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVkIlEHUILV
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAYCL1Wsxb6m
341Please respect copyright.PENANAo89Vjj8Cnq
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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAzdn4A8AKKD
341Please respect copyright.PENANAXi64QguzvP
"Do you think she's killed before?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAobet1gSHS0
341Please respect copyright.PENANAQLqvKQcJhq
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANANaDiNsTnjs
341Please respect copyright.PENANArcmlut5kMy
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.341Please respect copyright.PENANALEkZGaBLQf
341Please respect copyright.PENANAcuDOSeghEw
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAyMnTp2eVmL
341Please respect copyright.PENANAIUphzs9hpD
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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAI6p97HBaNx
341Please respect copyright.PENANA2I5z93IXI3
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAvyQTR0A7m7
341Please respect copyright.PENANAysuA5fA66W
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.341Please respect copyright.PENANA95RagKRYj6
341Please respect copyright.PENANAhJIDOcQ2eK
Just as Kevin and Malcom walked out of the bathroom, Miss Marie appeared down the hall, approaching them with a grey sweatshirt in her hands.
"Here you go, Malcom," she said as she handed it over to him. "This belonged to my grandson, Miguel. He doesn't wear it anymore."341Please respect copyright.PENANABZ5H4zc2bP
341Please respect copyright.PENANAHM3mMeQmhn
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.341Please respect copyright.PENANAnuhxfj7qLW
341Please respect copyright.PENANAaANnryC0bl
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.341Please respect copyright.PENANA7uPr3PSzvP
341Please respect copyright.PENANAzg5mcwVD0x
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."341Please respect copyright.PENANAN6efe6UvtP
341Please respect copyright.PENANAwv4Htdj7ct
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.341Please respect copyright.PENANA0Els0aEVX6
341Please respect copyright.PENANA8HFStSRSFP
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.341Please respect copyright.PENANAkv6JAJGINZ
341Please respect copyright.PENANA9MG4xNZrTc
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.341Please respect copyright.PENANAPDKY5404oJ
341Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZKAKjBEdl
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."341Please respect copyright.PENANAHsxUEy6dd4
341Please respect copyright.PENANAX7oEPaCPQ3
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."341Please respect copyright.PENANABXMmYfpanp
341Please respect copyright.PENANAD7ZHNYYhJe
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.341Please respect copyright.PENANAbPsct1yUhp
341Please respect copyright.PENANAeId1UaB8Y9
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."341Please respect copyright.PENANAbJ1wvvQrFp
341Please respect copyright.PENANAd3FcCdMZpE
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAVKpVE4AC8U
341Please respect copyright.PENANABZGFgCi0D0
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"341Please respect copyright.PENANACYMyrH1YG3
341Please respect copyright.PENANAY2P6LebGQR
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 341Please respect copyright.PENANAlzsdvAqNc5
341Please respect copyright.PENANAYGUy6jgyke
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.341Please respect copyright.PENANAF3oLzMgowi
341Please respect copyright.PENANAyHLo20N3wp
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.341Please respect copyright.PENANAhhtaUk9rOD
341Please respect copyright.PENANAIuEE8k18ML
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.341Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1T49TWyPP
341Please respect copyright.PENANAgM36P0qqUj
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAtAo78PIomJ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAhZ9b8bMROM
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."341Please respect copyright.PENANA7J1GN42Q9S
341Please respect copyright.PENANAhmoJ9sOvfk
"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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAje30gskEjl
341Please respect copyright.PENANAehhH2gfbjE
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.341Please respect copyright.PENANAEb9JwNJPz6
341Please respect copyright.PENANA8lPJfr99E0
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAU3w7wK2Y3m
341Please respect copyright.PENANAF9JcbJcuyb
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.341Please respect copyright.PENANABi8YP3CbsQ
341Please respect copyright.PENANA8fYUeppvy2
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."341Please respect copyright.PENANAHveVfRCm7J
341Please respect copyright.PENANAF2N26lk4ip
Rhénee scoffed, then sighed. "But I took a life," she said. "I don't think she would be proud of that."
"Her life wasn't that perfect either, you know?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAGIu13O78HT
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVvfmqR9Xic
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAjAcqDsTdcA
341Please respect copyright.PENANAl3pF7VstXD
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."341Please respect copyright.PENANAKFFVzvcT9M
341Please respect copyright.PENANAe1agZna1Ax
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAmqqAVSD4qP
341Please respect copyright.PENANAslf6VRH1dE
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.341Please respect copyright.PENANAjIYTyMKflF
341Please respect copyright.PENANATd96F919NL
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.341Please respect copyright.PENANA0a02aeNqeh
341Please respect copyright.PENANARCstVhajeu
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANACA4rpp1bNZ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAPAACR6zNiY
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.341Please respect copyright.PENANAeFOUBczNCg
341Please respect copyright.PENANAMRblm0NxrU
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."341Please respect copyright.PENANADCgGQH6XeG
341Please respect copyright.PENANA1i2BcJVZVp
"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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAzG7k4V8ZVM
341Please respect copyright.PENANAaLwBMm3fq7
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.341Please respect copyright.PENANAHMT0V9OS90
341Please respect copyright.PENANABPu9kLVZRs
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."341Please respect copyright.PENANAH7xgu5vzTE
341Please respect copyright.PENANALxXHBZPb1u
"We will," said Kevin.341Please respect copyright.PENANAtBqC64Gk4s
341Please respect copyright.PENANAmPmUc6Yxsu
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANA4sOIBleGnf
341Please respect copyright.PENANAAuniUOmDx8
The car drove away from the little neighbourhood. After a few seconds, Kevin couldn't help but turn and look at Rhénee. Rhénee noticed and looked back at him.
"What?" she asked.341Please respect copyright.PENANAQipeyLoV4K
341Please respect copyright.PENANA4W9ScegKqG
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."341Please respect copyright.PENANAGIZHUaBL6R
341Please respect copyright.PENANAa5MoIyZKSZ
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.341Please respect copyright.PENANAJCy3VC9Tss
341Please respect copyright.PENANAOzCCNLfGO2
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANABOgxiFAu57
341Please respect copyright.PENANAjbj4FdU6KK
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:341Please respect copyright.PENANAVBJnBQ6StE
341Please respect copyright.PENANA4F6zoKaFCE
"Rhénee, wait!"341Please respect copyright.PENANAcr8yOK5p7m
341Please respect copyright.PENANAuKdS7SyZXu
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAy73obr788W
341Please respect copyright.PENANAH23z5YwTeG
"What is it, Kevin?" Rhénee asked.
Kevin hesitated for a moment and that made Rhénee raise an eyebrow. Sophie jumped out of her arms and walked away.341Please respect copyright.PENANAiG6IM2OCH0
341Please respect copyright.PENANAEOjNxPskK2
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.341Please respect copyright.PENANAtqCKNr49kq
341Please respect copyright.PENANAxUhKqJzMRs
"I'm tired."341Please respect copyright.PENANAPVhPOEW9tx
341Please respect copyright.PENANAMruDGT2RFJ
"Really? I don't think that's it."341Please respect copyright.PENANAcKGz4ejFMQ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAZYJuA030ZQ
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAUZ0O78mkFN
341Please respect copyright.PENANA9cWbG7qKb9
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"341Please respect copyright.PENANAZ16GS6koku
341Please respect copyright.PENANAD34rP3FJo7
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAfvgrJ7NdMC
341Please respect copyright.PENANAe387ujCOGw
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANARVOhusUuZw
341Please respect copyright.PENANALTcEIW0Tqa
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAPup3HLYquo
341Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ia5iXn60y
"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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAksdIFzLVlN
341Please respect copyright.PENANAWnhUAaMQI3
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAr2uVPvAniG
341Please respect copyright.PENANAR8uMPac7W3
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAcNh8mmez3Y
341Please respect copyright.PENANApSIXRCOIvF
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.341Please respect copyright.PENANA2N56IrlCYQ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAMTrvmFnZCG
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.341Please respect copyright.PENANAuePrLGJt5X
341Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8mE6G0Ji6
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"341Please respect copyright.PENANATzG1jgOSWN
341Please respect copyright.PENANAhSAzUQGKXp
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."341Please respect copyright.PENANAxQpzBCcNPf
341Please respect copyright.PENANAsmu4WWlXGw
"Good. Let's go."341Please respect copyright.PENANAJczjqy1IYM
341Please respect copyright.PENANA5eBIOue6nS
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:341Please respect copyright.PENANAVGRiMdGhhT
341Please respect copyright.PENANAbrDet522eh
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."341Please respect copyright.PENANAGvvwXSDrmW
341Please respect copyright.PENANA7mlt2AhPqU
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."341Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1c88jNnIe
341Please respect copyright.PENANARmD95s8s2y
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANA46QKcwHY6G
341Please respect copyright.PENANAvJKZNuDheV
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."341Please respect copyright.PENANAzmhTU5NUug
341Please respect copyright.PENANAGg6GQB1NFq
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.341Please respect copyright.PENANAfowCIylAAe
341Please respect copyright.PENANAOfDYKWYSvZ
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."341Please respect copyright.PENANAU644LzuZaJ
341Please respect copyright.PENANA3EUjLxCsdi
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.341Please respect copyright.PENANAD45XwItt83
341Please respect copyright.PENANAfluq5NeUPm
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.341Please respect copyright.PENANAIZ7rGRUIAH
341Please respect copyright.PENANA3seYHQkhwe
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANACWpo4vKgLV
341Please respect copyright.PENANAnxlAbIbTEe
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."341Please respect copyright.PENANAfSjoh0PD6P
341Please respect copyright.PENANAQJqcPAHK6P
"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?"341Please respect copyright.PENANARRPbsgfR6O
341Please respect copyright.PENANAYSJr717d4l
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAl954rynd32
341Please respect copyright.PENANAeugFDsXW3j
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.341Please respect copyright.PENANAxInrjDMAFj
341Please respect copyright.PENANAGsjD5PVL8m
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.341Please respect copyright.PENANA5V37Kcqq6Z
341Please respect copyright.PENANAHymuKMvFbx
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAtlyNOFyzsj
341Please respect copyright.PENANAOah4lLxk7X
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.341Please respect copyright.PENANAFUr5TxwjWX
341Please respect copyright.PENANAOV3eaEi27h
"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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAVMFxZ1RUJD
341Please respect copyright.PENANARcfNuzjzz4
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.341Please respect copyright.PENANA5ybrMHxora
341Please respect copyright.PENANA8ulwn8gjrh
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.341Please respect copyright.PENANAw8t9rN5J8N
341Please respect copyright.PENANAPTB1snOF9y
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAB4XMnsttXg
341Please respect copyright.PENANAmyvrfXVm7K
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.341Please respect copyright.PENANAJ50Kpy3nWO
341Please respect copyright.PENANAJfNKOpk2xy
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANADGweVrBacG
341Please respect copyright.PENANAKb61WqF244
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAsQB3rKqUyh
341Please respect copyright.PENANAnYlpCZBk6S
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANADVOvrwbVik
341Please respect copyright.PENANAru6Jsycsmn
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.341Please respect copyright.PENANAGgM4T08xcq
341Please respect copyright.PENANAltIDObQdK4
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANACmfdUZPeRW
341Please respect copyright.PENANA5otRp21tJt
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.341Please respect copyright.PENANACV7xii0BRY
341Please respect copyright.PENANAqYb9HgbaLi
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."341Please respect copyright.PENANALwQpRXM603
341Please respect copyright.PENANAlY3niD2GWU
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.341Please respect copyright.PENANAt3tso0BQhn
341Please respect copyright.PENANAOkY9x3hwav
"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?"341Please respect copyright.PENANASLCTuhLW2g
341Please respect copyright.PENANATYMYdZHOvm
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAdAKmSZ98bA
341Please respect copyright.PENANAwn9c1CiUrD
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:341Please respect copyright.PENANAlPzQRPLE2x
341Please respect copyright.PENANABm8VGgA0Le
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAN8CluOA6Zw
341Please respect copyright.PENANAynwzw0vxxC
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."341Please respect copyright.PENANAMJ2EZ33fbK
341Please respect copyright.PENANA6FkxDZF7Jl
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.341Please respect copyright.PENANAxVysloPtWV
341Please respect copyright.PENANA1tDYnTkdtP
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."341Please respect copyright.PENANAQrPgupljif
341Please respect copyright.PENANAXbY2c5fQme
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."341Please respect copyright.PENANAwbbkJSSZXQ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAM34VvcfsmY
***341Please respect copyright.PENANAPYPtbt9j56
341Please respect copyright.PENANAiVopcfILuw
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANA6Eq282sXV9
341Please respect copyright.PENANAGv1lX6pmOG
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.341Please respect copyright.PENANAjDmVJVgzyV
341Please respect copyright.PENANAlh0ABIqGVM
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.341Please respect copyright.PENANANINpZWI4Gt
341Please respect copyright.PENANAMWy6F9s3Xa
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.341Please respect copyright.PENANADD4Vysqlez
341Please respect copyright.PENANAdCqlRGqKsS
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANALAnltZ5WBJ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVSSiYEARxy
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.341Please respect copyright.PENANAXhCKbunxea
341Please respect copyright.PENANAwTZoWGtyD6
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.341Please respect copyright.PENANAmioo2K6PfX
341Please respect copyright.PENANAG0MA3tNPSd
"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?"341Please respect copyright.PENANA9fEUaNv4V8
341Please respect copyright.PENANAmdTgzVz9fe
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."341Please respect copyright.PENANATaqc0lcylA
341Please respect copyright.PENANAiXrEllU61F
"Really?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAmDlXQ8alLx
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVW3v3fmJuA
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.341Please respect copyright.PENANAHAdfvPQH5m
341Please respect copyright.PENANAtBY7Z5uXWC
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."341Please respect copyright.PENANA2Xr7sDirAb
341Please respect copyright.PENANAe5LBfBaFKe
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.341Please respect copyright.PENANAxfQCZxMPWw
341Please respect copyright.PENANALNtReg7jAx
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANACRoGeLJO0j
341Please respect copyright.PENANAyRHZlTuROo
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAH4hN6zYuwg
341Please respect copyright.PENANAQBga2Brnm3
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANA4QBzJPDmIY
341Please respect copyright.PENANAqmzaYTrhiW
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAA2qK9bGG6y
341Please respect copyright.PENANAPxu6wdOxnB
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAI0IE6X2ksW
341Please respect copyright.PENANA63jM2nwMXC
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAIuxQSnLZaE
341Please respect copyright.PENANAZt4ogvl786
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.341Please respect copyright.PENANAPvItXQPl5Z
341Please respect copyright.PENANAoGcayxuOPh
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAX0L2zewLNy
341Please respect copyright.PENANARo1Uvtuh5L
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.341Please respect copyright.PENANAPGURthjhCD
341Please respect copyright.PENANAc4Fru7Jc34
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.341Please respect copyright.PENANAJCUoVFiATG
341Please respect copyright.PENANArMJ7JaaCTV
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAgWqX1TLCJK
341Please respect copyright.PENANAokMnprkiax
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.341Please respect copyright.PENANAhPCEqL8mX5
341Please respect copyright.PENANAaqzsiNeJKG
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.341Please respect copyright.PENANAYakdRr3ES0
341Please respect copyright.PENANAOg1bNgBrNq
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANA8rjaOP8moF
341Please respect copyright.PENANACx9EOtuCeV
"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?"341Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ej0Ek9SRT
341Please respect copyright.PENANAyBoeMsqMcX
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.341Please respect copyright.PENANA7geLYu5nDj
341Please respect copyright.PENANA1WrDM0rWH1
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.341Please respect copyright.PENANAwaAxDj0emp
341Please respect copyright.PENANADthQVN15TP
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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAXlfJezaF5s
341Please respect copyright.PENANAybEbjQ2JL9
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAymSBtkDaCE
341Please respect copyright.PENANAeclG3JJQ0C
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.341Please respect copyright.PENANA8hE00fdNyO
341Please respect copyright.PENANAkm4zoqRHhP
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.341Please respect copyright.PENANATjHEoMymur
341Please respect copyright.PENANA2GJZ0yDszH
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAbvCTdFdo3Z
341Please respect copyright.PENANAC243Dcqrbc
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.341Please respect copyright.PENANATyGhInJ0wq
341Please respect copyright.PENANAGVEHLWWYlY
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAoP0UQzgFbZ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAQnYkm76GkB
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.341Please respect copyright.PENANAYwXoRClK91
341Please respect copyright.PENANASiRq4HGJda
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANARpC06lR4zo
341Please respect copyright.PENANArqYQLjNMxm
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."341Please respect copyright.PENANAYCABe36mZb
341Please respect copyright.PENANAcVRwvnL3Qo
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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAUr84sXdY8K
341Please respect copyright.PENANAXZGitnOEQ1
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAUbYsKMeD7j
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVwc9NQdpn8
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."341Please respect copyright.PENANAnuQ2eYbUpg
341Please respect copyright.PENANAfnW1cX7Ddc
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."341Please respect copyright.PENANAQN2cfOyYoS
341Please respect copyright.PENANAk9UpUj5DxI
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAIvL55Mb2Ne
341Please respect copyright.PENANACRYvX67V17
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.341Please respect copyright.PENANAFW3tqwhph5
341Please respect copyright.PENANAeleQptcu6v
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.341Please respect copyright.PENANAKz1bl4rX2i
341Please respect copyright.PENANAxDSQio9CvD
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAwc5jOlTY28
341Please respect copyright.PENANApySZcqanZl
"Oh..., nothing really."341Please respect copyright.PENANAkGRmz7yQtu
341Please respect copyright.PENANA9W3K2JXqMM
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."341Please respect copyright.PENANAwgdrPhvw0x
341Please respect copyright.PENANANPeQVXWU7V
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAkK5fjE468X
341Please respect copyright.PENANAfBFGktxcj1
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."341Please respect copyright.PENANAhoTf3wn5QF
341Please respect copyright.PENANACHbgd1ClKi
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."341Please respect copyright.PENANAcKVCAiQUgV
341Please respect copyright.PENANAbgvYyDGNE3
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."341Please respect copyright.PENANApLgnLlNoBp
341Please respect copyright.PENANArWrMRg7EUC
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAhlSBm4ndYe
341Please respect copyright.PENANAwYTFQH7JIL
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."341Please respect copyright.PENANAhtYLvpM6Gu
341Please respect copyright.PENANAGP2QRE0tBG
"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."341Please respect copyright.PENANAbAcaK3wkgC
341Please respect copyright.PENANAfrJ2ruj460
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.341Please respect copyright.PENANAUIeJfxRhTa
341Please respect copyright.PENANAyIxt9vNuot
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."341Please respect copyright.PENANA1uRt0lUDh5
341Please respect copyright.PENANAJWpv5CuZ3L
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAqZZAEY4IJ2
341Please respect copyright.PENANAoDD4wXPlmr
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? 341Please respect copyright.PENANALE9VxDhsDD
341Please respect copyright.PENANAujCAmPAlGa
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAAeSnkS1uoo
341Please respect copyright.PENANAsAumRQ9fGi
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.341Please respect copyright.PENANAtWnb0XOOTq
341Please respect copyright.PENANAX4Emxs668V
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."341Please respect copyright.PENANA4EBLlkbjOo
341Please respect copyright.PENANA9VIlZZk80p
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.341Please respect copyright.PENANAn9UOdisUDZ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAL4Pfu283UV
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."341Please respect copyright.PENANAZkIKPIXYf7
341Please respect copyright.PENANAyu5YXSvZVe
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.341Please respect copyright.PENANAa2oQKUdPYj
341Please respect copyright.PENANAsSu8hYmK2t
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.341Please respect copyright.PENANAtx5SrOgcHF