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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlw1AqCtPW
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUypwY3pbP2
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQrySPFVfq
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey9fzGahNN
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDETUJ0b8k2
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx2wWXgayz
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoJy16thv4
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLITYzCIQj
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADz2NxIFeP
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEbfglYinM
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvheYrNhZlG
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ3M0TpCsb
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oE70wOC37
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS3UNg5jGt
"What kind of trouble?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLxl7nsryZ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTWLDaFsPK
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGYeBB1DtV
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3mJJS4PW0
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJwK0uLBQn
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdCLirpc4d
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ098VXC4WgB
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AdnbGakl2
"That's good. She needs to rest."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnwFQ9T1RV
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F3i9iXIzf
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wQHORwWSO
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhYGRIUL8X
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bOXrPkJ8l
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCifyVhdhY
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnE1U2F6y1
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3dNMaHUGw
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV1C622iye
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5pVIslIyz
"Ya, sure."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCKFIW6xs4
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteSXRzGc1h
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5LmBvu9zf
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf9Od8riSS
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiHYmR4oFc
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBDk7UZa0W
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgzX9PSPKn
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9ze2nGink
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡambTqBBVv2
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVnpTIwPLl
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l8P1WlhOo
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasKZldW6x0
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbE48L9J7N
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4xxLGfDHc
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv7kfhup0J
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3IJK7lvYw
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD6st5Wis1
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xiZq7LjhV
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwqcNlbTkn
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc9t1gZ3iy
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiBzCcjHPp
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡredAtuOKPf
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeXY5a2oD7
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHajPOQ063
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3O8jE6HyG
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK6yQKlkvs
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ214xBDBmeA
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAHTMi2FjO
"What did you say?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwuIj1amDx
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeK9XpbHfq
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsbKSZ67tc
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISgSVGDjzL
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1oqabvpjq
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ1Zyxj79b
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne1qqtpNVl
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapXhHSVVBE
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVya1sFzXNA
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUdKuJIMSZ
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt3x43NQwR
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTul1qFRoNK
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHGu5XBwE8
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FEL1YI6ry
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp2i7qyHNK
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqn9YIjRf1
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgaDMzLfqx
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcXwDYtJ4W
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?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnQgqpUxw8
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7sVuf3Ytl
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrGnLy8wGi
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHuIFReKdN
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBRuXMowTb
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kcg7lg5xL
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvFckB4CDb
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhyESLHWiq
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMi6AfsZTA
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRuvmd1Syu
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBlrli9NLo
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SAte4OKIJ
***738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lqil5LGmQ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJmrjltuTA
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oE3khuxpm
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JOB9vDUNg
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyuZuzcwIS
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrjtPNfzHc
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgDocqjZFT
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFnHitbsYi
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJolneLV2Rt
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10ULzN3VsI
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE08bExWv8
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrFG4C5NsO
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91pssvDyai
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8libQYtLCh
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LUhXz7ZNu
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpyBNEL37p
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAeOT1srUj
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWcdrjlFSV
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLxytoy6jE
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwkH8XTzBO
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqtk24DYae
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ezOx8S1pO
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQocrB3tXyX
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHZ1HvRZuR
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfBWnmOAh5
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlLOSZ8Plq
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZg1szmINg
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS9VHitRnP
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCTDCtoJkk
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQnBo50Cmv
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCedkjRnSoz
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FYQ3laaXr
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCiFejBQSQ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2KUhAXICw
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7Df1SY44E
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp08OJanvga
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGIr4dvQjl
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RYmvAaai9
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJr5UyNBRz
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc6pS2KSIN
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNkVALl6TU
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvCzfas1QT
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEOBo8LwZR
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBkXQHtMYc
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVOINPC3CO
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqVRlDvEOB
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32dyLJ1yWN
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZmEC67gvM
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWlQM5HoMn
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRnclOuV7I
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTFpRRwqfG
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJJDGixcJ2
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lmO5lkTHy
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpSLOQ2Byi
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0DKz1cUl7
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna6SgUj3Q3
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCLH7Yfx7n
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tjhu2SCRi
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OFHKNa6uz
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAX8UFKqZa
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r6PqQNJOb
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDibJ9wG8C
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xxpFdOY6h
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG68fqUfNUb
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoDJiZ8Phs
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H0CtUrgFK
"Do you think she's killed before?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtMKGw6Vov
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj7MAf0RMp
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk6ZIT82T4
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3AVxhcT1C
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xntxZLYRT
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SbRLym2ka
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegpLwzzqqI
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHB5Ik2jhu
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCo4lApLZf
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMJfIGERge
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93IRtsf5lW
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6tFWvu0oO
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlYi8oPSRW
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ0aIPbjJ7
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqyRnrV9fU
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKjzEHfiTz
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHAuOX2YdC
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiibl9BMSk
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75WVeKQyHu
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeOj2kBFd3
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgHNRXPBCA
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3oX6BjXha
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjHmZn4S7m
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6veopn4ML
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7iXXK0mBv
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYcTyMvWES
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFjLU8pdRD
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKuulkc7Rd
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdqs0TCrYz
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdb9rgLzPZ
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXIphNMWuT
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKJWW9I7II
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQczZs8Khn4
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECArDfytSq
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sDiTLo46O
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4XdiU4Sqr
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFFIuRS0cS
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtdO6YKS3l
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HDoYazOAJ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaK1WV1Lzn
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEZqeAjo0Q
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI8J02VrV3
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B5KDaAm38
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDH62sCRGq
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU5lO5hpmH
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qDWf1ZExb
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFZO9CaKIs
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6BKuPmyk0
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrEVfqjuX0
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZLa7SyFoB
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzNUKcsj4y
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb5E36OKYJ
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXOUHxcg2z
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLx153f2cP
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyOcjfm1Ih
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYjHAWiaTG
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluz2fM5MWL
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJqa3ifTnq
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PDxjJv3xR
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAICLfO3MlZ
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeB5o4xIBv
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl7oc9SEtS
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?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmW0znjG6f
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5htTtVrok
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCugIAqkWu
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe87ls1nNNo
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cByLRw2C3
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavUX2yzoNk
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiKwZnEJNK
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRly1L15Ek
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQdskFrYTQ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk82SFt8wK
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoefDDN1gGs
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ116GFkktIJ
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbPz6lV3uG
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R2Z0spOAX
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFuP2yPZqe
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA3sqCxNVG
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhENK1hDtc
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIpK7AvSyC
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUwlXMSgVx
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiYO5GDZSc
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuXQoXqUaj
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKAdkvSNLA
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHV59SONgv
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD81i3G1VGK
"We will," said Kevin.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHP90rG3F4
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HDtDdOpOo
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qR0c3OnKK
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHc6jA1OyO
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPVHHtAnwd
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZMLtpfis1
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJe5hSxVtF
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtx8rjtgFG
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCmiAd7AJT
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm8JfHDXpH
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaWwVDuw83
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoG6s2LYLd
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:738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPyQsHIPOy
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvhFFcgPAt
"Rhénee, wait!"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3PEZoqurX
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8srStyvLo
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxqc5lHtyS
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNyR3u5ke4
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44LSndgzaR
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5pcYSWV2J
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH0AgQblFj
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUAY77AUxd
"I'm tired."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLYHaX5CRw
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV2gLveTMA
"Really? I don't think that's it."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMelYMmYBnT
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oUqUUjdEw
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGGBQfUIXX
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKAfyDU2T6
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggz2StP17O
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u9RdZ5lNE
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUu2d12q0d
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzytAl7byp
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaDOibzUKM
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyxSsjaj5n
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t0dO67JrB
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUyEb8SrVI
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIj8EnJ6jJ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmykYrJjQ7I
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDpBfKd4qj
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8WYXTuswM
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU8CZWk3Kl
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfewJloqOo
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNOQ7bkzHj
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GIZtwZq8W
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdTviwnZJO
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRvzhc8F0J
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4zrWCFOMb
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqx1IChDDZ
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4ELJyDWtT
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSEcC84hHv
"Good. Let's go."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY9GXY9KVV
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXTDmjxn75
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvDxWhHhZQ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupI4yLbLcA
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uptyYUUSk
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XLx4co72H
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNjrgpLHOt
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo42Z6L4EmA
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq4zews5Qz
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHyLiiGuaf
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6MvCujSh0
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r3lJUECj0
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7o5uL39jB
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh6cBNtkUd
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqfeKeueXd
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctzWpBPyEq
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdxkGdC8OU
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZAu4d6blL
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp37zSXPfhs
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNkkFGCbV9
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HRh23zja8
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8jFmvFCLX
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcIlRtQyGe
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbZl9ZHiPp
"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?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZgeYWy3v4
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPspumHYhF0
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw73dNjtPEP
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWUUWmZX1f
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bbRKOCUKs
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3smHPCGByv
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5pq07aY5I
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfvpTb3ENC
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBcUrTXaAG
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJgsA1Hyrh
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq1mFzThfW
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwGUqY3hKF
"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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHq4Uqj32d
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqXC08SHVh
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJQ7dhpDMZ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltFLjFZrt9
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHm5zojTVh
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvmGAflY47
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUKgowjGUL
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4DcxXOXLF
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhvJLnIUHK
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3OUYY3CiF
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm7Qc08EGT
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8V2G7SNve
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ6P9a9oZ7
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fmnJX5RcG
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqiBA7x8nP
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mNyNV0Srv
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANoDDUu9tW
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrDAUCXgh1
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD03oLoIDsC
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJip1T6VnqB
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoxCRKZu1a
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G4QXtAnvV
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vBIdIjACA
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrChEm6UXB
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny5hpfyoee
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoH7ZvwJun
"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?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYbNonBs13
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZcX7m8Pzl
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p5VynTSp7
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnYUaiCUs0
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:738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KSD3fslxi
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPrIu4YzZq
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjbf4q7wCc
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRnLQfs5au
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLqkzx44OU
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQeoAUuVc3
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgijQt1cSwi
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE2TJxmcA6
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0XSJwPKsj
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLEM8vxxUP
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx7yGwqhHt
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwoMhk6Rsp
***738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAlNJBR935
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip0TYOWuWN
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7kYMPwAKG
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKztehdWAG
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiWUFV6yeQ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOUAxX7Wwe
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaM4MG2US0
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNasgdNthik
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhOgwWNv7y
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO8yyKxNiJ
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXv55fKvlF
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU6wnAWloA
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0dWCXWbwA
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyq9OnnNy7
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlTy6zfcgO
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0ZD3qwY0D
"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?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyt0Zo9Kh5
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNYeaiHIz8
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcaSUDXQoP
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiuHJX6vPe
"Really?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSirBrUHMIA
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjla6RphDwf
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebcHrhweWq
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2878hjNkTC
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV0a7l6Pxs
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HzuY8BP5b
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgrgYHXmRP
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3g33wofvb
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMtccE5lwp
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DhL4cwuqq
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtLkPsag8n
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJWIuyCz24
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4ZxFDxSVH
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweq42wSeqW
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3PFH6nwCc
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7siVQer80O
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKk35wyAkv
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnvP20mgzP
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVtYNIhr1R
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS6dkN72dS
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwfB2EPygJ
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsfISq6GpJ
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaF4nFHTZv
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7PcNeEDYM
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCrt8SdOmz
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fiTXEKp03
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzMqaCX86r
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvpjzcBZhC
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RXSF3uqzm
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcARPbokUi
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eAt0dFchC
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuljzOtf0OI
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3tDCIvzJb
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMAG3x55VA
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPRLQW5IJa
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP0UaYblKj
"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?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlkH7Krqaj
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5uKGnsBpN
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkhUHxK52Z
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKtNT2lD1I
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdavoOD0HI
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAKY4kyiDQ
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiHEPfVfWX
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG9nSdWZLB
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIdY1FPRDP
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rcQlk1Kty
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPcC7oVppl
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tTVWWqjTM
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFqZWNM5d3
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzRKj6ZMzL
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3N34iRAtX
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn2zM8o48h
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacbichnhDh
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wLP1TqTFW
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAwI9uOBva
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9UWROSp74
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZCbttwFi4
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn2u4Alyfq
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IIwT1bpyL
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0rMQvQuw0
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsln4NVMwHw
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT9RbLH4ET
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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNk8y0SZXE
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujHmluHu7N
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuA2kk9iNG
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjw77ceIzw
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDfQssxr5v
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEm4ONbQKyb
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPICyvmbwu
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJANRsF2mz
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjOXGeXFYy
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dVixn5Xoq
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYSE7C8bxR
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZmxdrAysg
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeVwUriZuO
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqLicnmk7S
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5fl0mnZMR
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oUkBNQSh8
"Oh..., nothing really."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwaga8Y3TB
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9vCEOyMYK
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToeP4PjshX
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavATGCz499
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPiFRpA3Aa
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaixeJ5SRH1
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VIKodMWTr
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8N8wPAQIB
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1A3WxJptF
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDmKQ7yIQs
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKLcFLO8Hp
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF4GUAJob5
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigNzZGpw81
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy25seZ43A
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq2fr3ADYN
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0r2JpoTHS
"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."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SplhDIF9N
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwxGEZw9Sz
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBWtOspJK3
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRU4eCebu4
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyhpxn7b6e
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzZw9eVcma
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzQtZV6afu
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dikZEsQ37
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? 738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq6R9894JV
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtOZTFSwXX
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSIW5oUHwl
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm63CV1qx4
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8ltqIUYAw
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHoCU6910F
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2Vr7qKIJr
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eRdynKIlN
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWgx6VITlv
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9beQJBSr8K
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T0dL4tKWd
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRmx0pAJST
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.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw3IBvoEO3
738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVODdLm2nSN
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.738Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGCsL9Kf7v
