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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAobdIQzGnJO
336Please respect copyright.PENANA7dqrGtpZf4
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.336Please respect copyright.PENANAXQzh8aWknf
336Please respect copyright.PENANATg3zJkjHla
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.336Please respect copyright.PENANAyeZqI12xfc
336Please respect copyright.PENANAIQChedP3Cb
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAt14sojQMML
336Please respect copyright.PENANAxK9zzIUj3d
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.336Please respect copyright.PENANAmeR90FTWGY
336Please respect copyright.PENANALJMfKdwOgW
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAorenz8mqFP
336Please respect copyright.PENANAu87sk5UJ7X
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."336Please respect copyright.PENANAOFX0SUSXBh
336Please respect copyright.PENANA0rEo4VAT7Y
"What kind of trouble?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAQnJXdAfsTf
336Please respect copyright.PENANAqpW6fAKJ43
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"336Please respect copyright.PENANA4Zlqm5PxGW
336Please respect copyright.PENANAEpiK9uC2g4
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.336Please respect copyright.PENANAs1nsWtu0KC
336Please respect copyright.PENANAn8LxX1xrQR
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."336Please respect copyright.PENANASy0EmUA3U8
336Please respect copyright.PENANAO1ULeZzXss
"That's good. She needs to rest."336Please respect copyright.PENANAxtMlCnSLP0
336Please respect copyright.PENANAYFNMW97Xxz
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAwK4aKt3oZA
336Please respect copyright.PENANAViRbqkSY1T
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."336Please respect copyright.PENANAfxbB5dkBlr
336Please respect copyright.PENANAZOcp22Psxg
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAIU6dNwKITC
336Please respect copyright.PENANA14WcbDfSqd
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."336Please respect copyright.PENANAxU67Zd8p3G
336Please respect copyright.PENANA5zh2YcPNV5
"Ya, sure."336Please respect copyright.PENANA1H3ZYzPcEP
336Please respect copyright.PENANApwHQvz8YXS
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANA7PL99BIHiu
336Please respect copyright.PENANAr0kjFRjv8l
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAPYumc4vaum
336Please respect copyright.PENANAd60UFLIKNp
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.336Please respect copyright.PENANASkx0j0n97V
336Please respect copyright.PENANAuWaf9ArM03
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAtMQb94Y2oM
336Please respect copyright.PENANASYq4MqQw37
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAWuStCxkLEx
336Please respect copyright.PENANA1HoTk1FfOD
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."336Please respect copyright.PENANAxo5whP1fUr
336Please respect copyright.PENANA4EK4tM3veV
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"336Please respect copyright.PENANApGQjzfRCVK
336Please respect copyright.PENANAmtCpawB5R6
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANA6Tvh21XenK
336Please respect copyright.PENANAcqEn9vPZwT
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."336Please respect copyright.PENANAVp3nHhzIpT
336Please respect copyright.PENANAXpQNeXX8EQ
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."336Please respect copyright.PENANAQbckWR84tx
336Please respect copyright.PENANAul8iaYwtz3
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."336Please respect copyright.PENANAFMSuvljy8U
336Please respect copyright.PENANAVq4HXIzdzm
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."336Please respect copyright.PENANArzhZ6cUXML
336Please respect copyright.PENANAMVO4vRMACs
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.336Please respect copyright.PENANAeSPfvCiDne
336Please respect copyright.PENANAZDm8d1mO6p
"What did you say?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAZtIMlOxyq9
336Please respect copyright.PENANAUdf7T9lCwq
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."336Please respect copyright.PENANANGyqghL9aK
336Please respect copyright.PENANAFFk0fWibJo
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."336Please respect copyright.PENANAYy61tnZm8J
336Please respect copyright.PENANA1gFJzHdMdw
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAigPlMCPvAW
336Please respect copyright.PENANADzYDhPZgKx
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."336Please respect copyright.PENANA8vzZTnP3Kj
336Please respect copyright.PENANA3BcZAGjHlY
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANA9XRCNV6Msp
336Please respect copyright.PENANAivruya9yDi
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAb9VfTDWDRc
336Please respect copyright.PENANAo9hQpKtmcR
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAJl6u4fE48C
336Please respect copyright.PENANA4g9kw1VHnz
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."336Please respect copyright.PENANAvbl3XyjzTh
336Please respect copyright.PENANAkfPcJGPwUg
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?"336Please respect copyright.PENANApVp3Uxfpzp
336Please respect copyright.PENANABCBBEJ2ck7
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.336Please respect copyright.PENANAapxWKCqi8w
336Please respect copyright.PENANADQvWFdWzWE
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAoo9wWW9Db0
336Please respect copyright.PENANAMF7GHnmiAT
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANA1COQsiUi18
336Please respect copyright.PENANASVW4jM0hEU
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANASn7FkDOCWK
336Please respect copyright.PENANA9MyuLoOSsS
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAj9BfI3cxYk
336Please respect copyright.PENANAK2LtZGQZ5M
***336Please respect copyright.PENANAm2q8NeUkDc
336Please respect copyright.PENANAessrNFqhZx
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.336Please respect copyright.PENANAVG8TKpLP7U
336Please respect copyright.PENANA8Av2L1PBN1
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.336Please respect copyright.PENANAvqTjNkKAlr
336Please respect copyright.PENANAHNlg0y7amS
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.336Please respect copyright.PENANAubXxowt2ZA
336Please respect copyright.PENANAk5Pku4rkP2
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAie35l81P5U
336Please respect copyright.PENANAMT7YITAeoF
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.336Please respect copyright.PENANANZklkBXcvJ
336Please respect copyright.PENANAiR8GlLQLqD
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANABuUfZXWxwl
336Please respect copyright.PENANA8f9wE9tCFG
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANADWEo5zROIz
336Please respect copyright.PENANAGejG3J65dw
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAJYUezM2BPR
336Please respect copyright.PENANAQJMFCuvnAW
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.336Please respect copyright.PENANAr4L9vU6hbj
336Please respect copyright.PENANA00wcBeR3cl
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."336Please respect copyright.PENANAA0o2HYJasM
336Please respect copyright.PENANAHbp1sGcfJB
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANA45aWN1m3HB
336Please respect copyright.PENANAqPmzqBUHy6
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."336Please respect copyright.PENANA8Rm5Z2mkdf
336Please respect copyright.PENANAwAnzmLtYuZ
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.336Please respect copyright.PENANAqFiCs7VkAM
336Please respect copyright.PENANAUlJlh6Iu0H
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAFCJ65EnV8L
336Please respect copyright.PENANAfjdnlmNfF3
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAfBC11if1rK
336Please respect copyright.PENANA2SZsGKRYaW
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.336Please respect copyright.PENANAiwasVsW6rv
336Please respect copyright.PENANAxbfby1AVB4
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."336Please respect copyright.PENANAT7xsrlj5Tv
336Please respect copyright.PENANALGDJgH3cb6
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.336Please respect copyright.PENANAWEgrofn47R
336Please respect copyright.PENANAt8QaDo8y4u
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAigvnalwm1O
336Please respect copyright.PENANAtlj2GYZ5QM
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANA5Iae8huGKD
336Please respect copyright.PENANAxU5fuv6dRr
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAoYa9EhD8LS
336Please respect copyright.PENANAhDKvlDGzos
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."336Please respect copyright.PENANArnkDOr9lsY
336Please respect copyright.PENANAn5bV32LZf3
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.336Please respect copyright.PENANA8DQ7aX3KpN
336Please respect copyright.PENANAZaXWGirxLB
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAvyHZbEy5HE
336Please respect copyright.PENANAW4RVlaHc9K
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAnYxA0fY5Bw
336Please respect copyright.PENANADBDrtE6vD5
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."336Please respect copyright.PENANAGHhmKG5Irx
336Please respect copyright.PENANAilgKN6wUGG
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAgUGeTsCgWz
336Please respect copyright.PENANA5mmle6FKG5
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZkQLEa3Ad
336Please respect copyright.PENANAJTWdRStZP9
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.336Please respect copyright.PENANAmJMMWx29Bh
336Please respect copyright.PENANA05mqtrqcvj
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.336Please respect copyright.PENANAiGr6hXvAQw
336Please respect copyright.PENANADwAUD5MTc9
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"336Please respect copyright.PENANA4tpPlJ9w45
336Please respect copyright.PENANAnRnS0e5DW8
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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAK9e9LdbNH4
336Please respect copyright.PENANA6FbVtCKUbx
"Do you think she's killed before?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAfEzVc94GpY
336Please respect copyright.PENANAWb9UnSDWi9
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAeqGnOIXes1
336Please respect copyright.PENANACK0HZ862CG
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.336Please respect copyright.PENANAaAcG3mMb2e
336Please respect copyright.PENANAO59ExfMkfP
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANA85KzF2KTkd
336Please respect copyright.PENANAvTrc2MjuAs
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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAfDEwfrBbLd
336Please respect copyright.PENANAhyw2q0g84C
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANA0ulLYFR6pN
336Please respect copyright.PENANAIErBj0XYZt
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.336Please respect copyright.PENANA9wg5bnKiTs
336Please respect copyright.PENANAJhhw4tFb2U
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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAYLLGUsXhtj
336Please respect copyright.PENANABQYVHxmLyV
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.336Please respect copyright.PENANAUrQo50AqHp
336Please respect copyright.PENANAZZ5FuvROLf
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.336Please respect copyright.PENANAv2aAqHCb1B
336Please respect copyright.PENANAPJGD4NQIlT
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."336Please respect copyright.PENANAm9K2KF70Ug
336Please respect copyright.PENANATkUqLZDhCu
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.336Please respect copyright.PENANAddIoWLT8re
336Please respect copyright.PENANAIL0HvKcoLC
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.336Please respect copyright.PENANAWksIt4UdQD
336Please respect copyright.PENANAeX44KFIFVM
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.336Please respect copyright.PENANAMEVwLECCXV
336Please respect copyright.PENANA7B2SmZjRy3
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."336Please respect copyright.PENANAbFSIHRny45
336Please respect copyright.PENANAaAFXGZZwIa
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."336Please respect copyright.PENANAmBjdtVnQgb
336Please respect copyright.PENANAj0zY9qGnOn
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.336Please respect copyright.PENANA4Aqzc34aH0
336Please respect copyright.PENANANj1ruzS5SW
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."336Please respect copyright.PENANAWvJB8Hqiov
336Please respect copyright.PENANAIqxFKnxJZ6
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAjfmgYpacgi
336Please respect copyright.PENANAkIgI4biOBd
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAJO1juD96uK
336Please respect copyright.PENANAi8xyFxJO27
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 336Please respect copyright.PENANACS8nyXvUbI
336Please respect copyright.PENANA6fWUJS8QTN
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.336Please respect copyright.PENANAIaGcQtUMZy
336Please respect copyright.PENANAitxyYhzaFt
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.336Please respect copyright.PENANAuuV4Ax3msG
336Please respect copyright.PENANAfzpL9Y32s1
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.336Please respect copyright.PENANAfGwBFoBTk4
336Please respect copyright.PENANAsSa3Jv2VsJ
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANABcvtNaEbtw
336Please respect copyright.PENANA0tfFPebcjH
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."336Please respect copyright.PENANA3VN2unyvnD
336Please respect copyright.PENANAuewR9B5xRh
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAKxCkeqKW8B
336Please respect copyright.PENANAhexhd6ByFM
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.336Please respect copyright.PENANAzGiKRvczay
336Please respect copyright.PENANADwlNtxiVW7
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAsny15FHBoh
336Please respect copyright.PENANA80WZrRjue7
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.336Please respect copyright.PENANAJknbFkSTP2
336Please respect copyright.PENANAtysYBOqnbC
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."336Please respect copyright.PENANAuBgZFtpuco
336Please respect copyright.PENANA9J8sTBmYJ6
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?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAncWqv4r6ZY
336Please respect copyright.PENANArqgE0devjU
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAzoEUDMpl55
336Please respect copyright.PENANARAqbk1MhI9
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."336Please respect copyright.PENANADfFEkaBGw5
336Please respect copyright.PENANADJviUEvJJR
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAz9RnjYYVpD
336Please respect copyright.PENANAzBWwSZMsAu
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.336Please respect copyright.PENANAulWubDfEfG
336Please respect copyright.PENANAjNJo9Y5kno
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.336Please respect copyright.PENANA9VLbzlYTYn
336Please respect copyright.PENANA5TPrkv8eF1
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAgM0YeMGRnq
336Please respect copyright.PENANAnwtIFvzzeP
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.336Please respect copyright.PENANA83f3OxQxYo
336Please respect copyright.PENANAM5SYAnb17A
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."336Please respect copyright.PENANAoTP144Rgq0
336Please respect copyright.PENANA728weVcSZI
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAkfRvzyJpXc
336Please respect copyright.PENANArPqEzTQhGm
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.336Please respect copyright.PENANA4Qui9ag1MF
336Please respect copyright.PENANA92BJFiy5L2
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."336Please respect copyright.PENANAcDxI6ltvEM
336Please respect copyright.PENANAMFhmcGhCSt
"We will," said Kevin.336Please respect copyright.PENANAGXrmGB8yJz
336Please respect copyright.PENANAtoeE6nUAkc
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAji5JgFNOQc
336Please respect copyright.PENANAkGo85p5SWf
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAm6yM9p7xLj
336Please respect copyright.PENANAL6Ax0wUCcQ
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."336Please respect copyright.PENANAPDocX46ddR
336Please respect copyright.PENANASYhfieQcKv
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.336Please respect copyright.PENANAq8EBbYg5Pa
336Please respect copyright.PENANAWqBCGcW9x6
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAym0k8npVPu
336Please respect copyright.PENANARMpmiDmedk
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:336Please respect copyright.PENANABb3aGwJmz5
336Please respect copyright.PENANARMbThnM5af
"Rhénee, wait!"336Please respect copyright.PENANAsEhaEVtfhP
336Please respect copyright.PENANA5DRDh05Jhz
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAeA2HoMrfz9
336Please respect copyright.PENANALK7vHc121n
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANA1yDc1V22YA
336Please respect copyright.PENANAY9pnyPurMN
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.336Please respect copyright.PENANASRTQnpWdjR
336Please respect copyright.PENANATqkKVkQvNa
"I'm tired."336Please respect copyright.PENANAyyJB9dC0Z1
336Please respect copyright.PENANApjx3mTIhIg
"Really? I don't think that's it."336Please respect copyright.PENANA0vAR0cIwuT
336Please respect copyright.PENANAH8QpW7B5iN
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"336Please respect copyright.PENANA3mBoEBgXsv
336Please respect copyright.PENANAY9ERG3QCI4
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"336Please respect copyright.PENANAbtk0TrcCtI
336Please respect copyright.PENANAkAV4WhiRiQ
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAgHHWERI7Dc
336Please respect copyright.PENANAqyMLD3VmVB
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAVIbO4crjxz
336Please respect copyright.PENANAPBmodOk0VN
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAudf3kiQY4g
336Please respect copyright.PENANAlXYDNc5XTH
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAAA4i5beu59
336Please respect copyright.PENANAVDXaUFM9z4
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAtwgtinwnHO
336Please respect copyright.PENANArVVPcMhao5
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAQouejjqWkL
336Please respect copyright.PENANAJ28kupG2zU
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.336Please respect copyright.PENANAEy4Edj8SFz
336Please respect copyright.PENANAjT0Il1u3fQ
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.336Please respect copyright.PENANALwxLMvSKVY
336Please respect copyright.PENANAkNaWs3rXVx
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"336Please respect copyright.PENANANwTE27hRRC
336Please respect copyright.PENANA4IzaFmJgzb
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."336Please respect copyright.PENANAWqbtgRX0S0
336Please respect copyright.PENANA2RZDVInJPB
"Good. Let's go."336Please respect copyright.PENANAgvEu6xqFGh
336Please respect copyright.PENANACLD1QHhhcF
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:336Please respect copyright.PENANAseiPDReSnT
336Please respect copyright.PENANAKwgIfNqY6S
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."336Please respect copyright.PENANASPhql385Px
336Please respect copyright.PENANADDvAGRsx6n
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."336Please respect copyright.PENANARzCvmN7PIm
336Please respect copyright.PENANAwGj2IfnZuE
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAsgOmHlJjMV
336Please respect copyright.PENANAfsLCdk2uRR
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."336Please respect copyright.PENANAkuEaXMXisr
336Please respect copyright.PENANA1hTMpoft8f
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.336Please respect copyright.PENANAIQV5G6a4Cd
336Please respect copyright.PENANAluczabAEYU
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."336Please respect copyright.PENANAWUwJ4MSBRa
336Please respect copyright.PENANAaNuxlXDpCm
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.336Please respect copyright.PENANAK7V2QCYJWn
336Please respect copyright.PENANApwinm4SvlI
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.336Please respect copyright.PENANAHvQROLtAZQ
336Please respect copyright.PENANAeDTzRgPM3P
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAY0Y8Sog7gX
336Please respect copyright.PENANAJwGNTlNJe8
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."336Please respect copyright.PENANAVtjaUr2VjA
336Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5uRMPrPQV
"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?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAgx7WuZZuif
336Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6ic6qboQV
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANATheFXAPXxw
336Please respect copyright.PENANAGHhFJp7egP
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.336Please respect copyright.PENANAwdtZJcjnqh
336Please respect copyright.PENANAGsd0LFPff9
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.336Please respect copyright.PENANApEM6FVZIBF
336Please respect copyright.PENANAL0Z27Z0uWE
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAbhNQndObmw
336Please respect copyright.PENANAhMfbY6MF6c
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.336Please respect copyright.PENANAZXscQ8inIA
336Please respect copyright.PENANANbM8G7YO6i
"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.336Please respect copyright.PENANALolSA7pQ7G
336Please respect copyright.PENANAsH1s5LdYst
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.336Please respect copyright.PENANAL2OTB9GKmP
336Please respect copyright.PENANAAdigCVQNJH
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.336Please respect copyright.PENANALQq1HETtLm
336Please respect copyright.PENANArt3isM5lM3
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANARJFH1wU1xT
336Please respect copyright.PENANA5QzatqXeb2
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.336Please respect copyright.PENANA3HNaTg5mDv
336Please respect copyright.PENANAWrCsPBWPRV
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANA5bSf24d6O4
336Please respect copyright.PENANA8zdgkAjUqn
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAyJInK71g7G
336Please respect copyright.PENANAsXcThRVXK8
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAH6TwIhG3VW
336Please respect copyright.PENANAvlLMWmP4qD
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.336Please respect copyright.PENANA8PjzHjCtDy
336Please respect copyright.PENANAQqpfSOE9FQ
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAjfmqKgTIcx
336Please respect copyright.PENANAV5jkC1CHNY
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.336Please respect copyright.PENANA8vd1to0h5Z
336Please respect copyright.PENANAVldSKTUJdA
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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAoakwmLKZpx
336Please respect copyright.PENANAiBAtFB1PGJ
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.336Please respect copyright.PENANAWLCCOuEPgW
336Please respect copyright.PENANA27jzMgeUkC
"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?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAm1bTEXR9mg
336Please respect copyright.PENANAIwKdsDAMwb
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANAusi7rQ8XNr
336Please respect copyright.PENANAtqSBZf0uOt
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:336Please respect copyright.PENANAFcAlG5p2M8
336Please respect copyright.PENANACsJlHSVHqU
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"336Please respect copyright.PENANA32SbvTt1E1
336Please respect copyright.PENANAa6oRg6w4Gh
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."336Please respect copyright.PENANAykK8omcO23
336Please respect copyright.PENANAoan9ZunxDi
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.336Please respect copyright.PENANAN3J451dgKz
336Please respect copyright.PENANAtdjHT0B1iL
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."336Please respect copyright.PENANARN3nXdsSE5
336Please respect copyright.PENANAUQf6Zd6x3x
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."336Please respect copyright.PENANAusw0qtTo5b
336Please respect copyright.PENANAfQz3ICoMJ2
***336Please respect copyright.PENANAqJkTTsOMS1
336Please respect copyright.PENANAXXn4S0Ph3t
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANA3j9EyXOdVI
336Please respect copyright.PENANAUehp9hLguO
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.336Please respect copyright.PENANAVMzeGfIHtd
336Please respect copyright.PENANA3rlMGUrC6m
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.336Please respect copyright.PENANAoQFM3FBuTS
336Please respect copyright.PENANA94M9KSzWsn
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.336Please respect copyright.PENANAD2VuXBH99Q
336Please respect copyright.PENANA935Opmi4hU
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAcjvuhQXi9q
336Please respect copyright.PENANAtyoBrbl5MD
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.336Please respect copyright.PENANA8jUxLT99Py
336Please respect copyright.PENANAyvOoFdk2Cd
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.336Please respect copyright.PENANAMs0IWZ96DQ
336Please respect copyright.PENANANrBo9cICyi
"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?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAgm00H86SD4
336Please respect copyright.PENANAiuNocUeY0b
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."336Please respect copyright.PENANATuZeDEmXDM
336Please respect copyright.PENANAB1zLx4Z7Gd
"Really?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAUHwkhZyTAZ
336Please respect copyright.PENANA1wasmvAd3X
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.336Please respect copyright.PENANAFSVFV6dMQH
336Please respect copyright.PENANAe5lofTchVd
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."336Please respect copyright.PENANAn6Y8qzmOoQ
336Please respect copyright.PENANAdFFX9pt1jh
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.336Please respect copyright.PENANAgvMUbLDfw0
336Please respect copyright.PENANAuMIEJdFgyx
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAPYGJ641Gme
336Please respect copyright.PENANAh5SZJ8Bd3F
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAMhHFm2gWiS
336Please respect copyright.PENANAE3emWXJXCx
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAUxpVs2U2aP
336Please respect copyright.PENANAQibCPqrbrk
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAUDoPVU9yUd
336Please respect copyright.PENANAGWpyUDapSS
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAvDP5ZJXJ2o
336Please respect copyright.PENANAU7rvLBWaab
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAsEaGFPu4qt
336Please respect copyright.PENANAsiW15DQVWP
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.336Please respect copyright.PENANAYz6MEF96Y0
336Please respect copyright.PENANAUqGWcl9X0p
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAgmp8RjDksh
336Please respect copyright.PENANALWHCOqDvrz
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.336Please respect copyright.PENANAljjCh8TjyT
336Please respect copyright.PENANAnkZTYw2Iie
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.336Please respect copyright.PENANAXd49RiPweO
336Please respect copyright.PENANAwtNg88P9PW
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAcsUA0dLd5B
336Please respect copyright.PENANAor86hU2eRa
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.336Please respect copyright.PENANAXupVbDgEEp
336Please respect copyright.PENANAt1t015hgp3
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.336Please respect copyright.PENANArxzwCgBFN1
336Please respect copyright.PENANAk6H3qSdWtk
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAcRbxeQ2vea
336Please respect copyright.PENANAqCKa5pwQpZ
"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?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAZgD8PNSGxS
336Please respect copyright.PENANAfWwyWXdUTG
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.336Please respect copyright.PENANAhDfRoLP6mX
336Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6n6WSzD7r
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.336Please respect copyright.PENANAKM2moQVope
336Please respect copyright.PENANAqyjwbSNVR3
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."336Please respect copyright.PENANA6eLtdR4FcX
336Please respect copyright.PENANA2QNCHlxgKy
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANASqtccMZMnz
336Please respect copyright.PENANAYIgTPdQmMz
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.336Please respect copyright.PENANAlS8sUe3VOu
336Please respect copyright.PENANAbsExtxSZt0
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.336Please respect copyright.PENANAgB3PFihWOZ
336Please respect copyright.PENANAEkJNj7erFl
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"336Please respect copyright.PENANA6cd5hVFYL2
336Please respect copyright.PENANAHVSCic6v0d
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.336Please respect copyright.PENANAgP4fBwQGtt
336Please respect copyright.PENANACzs74UGI7z
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANArKBGJNXOOP
336Please respect copyright.PENANAost0IPuetd
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.336Please respect copyright.PENANAxSt20e4R2Y
336Please respect copyright.PENANAvrRffad2gE
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANA0Aw1mYTBYI
336Please respect copyright.PENANAl81BKGC0Mu
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."336Please respect copyright.PENANA5X3LNQEZmr
336Please respect copyright.PENANAEnBRKPRs4Z
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."336Please respect copyright.PENANApMUOGu8yNC
336Please respect copyright.PENANAbCqeL267M9
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAhZXSJvIBXv
336Please respect copyright.PENANAf7yoP50LCh
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."336Please respect copyright.PENANA9gG3n7URoc
336Please respect copyright.PENANAD4uru9M1TE
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."336Please respect copyright.PENANAUOppdSk38c
336Please respect copyright.PENANAuiiYGGNa61
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAEdQT5boGLl
336Please respect copyright.PENANAe60Hy9CS1U
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.336Please respect copyright.PENANASb0aFOQWRU
336Please respect copyright.PENANASGQnKRQX18
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.336Please respect copyright.PENANAJI9Tg7l2qE
336Please respect copyright.PENANALPBu235BXD
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAmEMLwCBDHT
336Please respect copyright.PENANAJSIEYcMzdY
"Oh..., nothing really."336Please respect copyright.PENANANtjQrDizEm
336Please respect copyright.PENANAxkxFe2HPB9
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."336Please respect copyright.PENANAVRd9Dx1Knw
336Please respect copyright.PENANAwNmUZsFapx
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAmvH0Z7WZvc
336Please respect copyright.PENANAS3riysgNkK
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."336Please respect copyright.PENANAeltxIGPBEp
336Please respect copyright.PENANAvSVQmWD19n
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."336Please respect copyright.PENANAeRVS2hWwUR
336Please respect copyright.PENANAhfvrlKsS4r
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."336Please respect copyright.PENANA5KJzicxOYx
336Please respect copyright.PENANAarLAhjS2FM
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"336Please respect copyright.PENANAiExSavSlKu
336Please respect copyright.PENANAXPIJ4tvLR0
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."336Please respect copyright.PENANAgOszbb26hZ
336Please respect copyright.PENANAjFaeToxXzU
"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."336Please respect copyright.PENANA9cb5WiFfn6
336Please respect copyright.PENANAFTSjROHk2Y
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.336Please respect copyright.PENANAurGLEOd2nO
336Please respect copyright.PENANAVR6Es2wVqp
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."336Please respect copyright.PENANAc2AO8Rge70
336Please respect copyright.PENANAmXCcAUWCJ5
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7LvLpDToS
336Please respect copyright.PENANAZH3K28hT0h
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? 336Please respect copyright.PENANArQooHLfhOi
336Please respect copyright.PENANAZkQ6BaO4OC
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANA8OYvQVAtA4
336Please respect copyright.PENANAU8dCuW9zS7
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.336Please respect copyright.PENANAB1qa7YcEQk
336Please respect copyright.PENANApUucDoEwtM
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."336Please respect copyright.PENANAlRWhpNKufa
336Please respect copyright.PENANAodIo2NUsJf
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.336Please respect copyright.PENANAhv8OhsT8zl
336Please respect copyright.PENANAhD9oqS5HZH
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."336Please respect copyright.PENANA0rGvzdpfNW
336Please respect copyright.PENANAXjaTM0EpgG
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.336Please respect copyright.PENANAkweK0ddAvW
336Please respect copyright.PENANANhNcTzyuFO
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.336Please respect copyright.PENANARJdboz3jF3