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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAot95aYIy8d
374Please respect copyright.PENANAqxzpN8Ui3G
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.374Please respect copyright.PENANAdWdwPLt9VO
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjGRSMo9a7B
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.374Please respect copyright.PENANA0nlgfQc038
374Please respect copyright.PENANAJpTMO77YCA
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAoFKBsArOcD
374Please respect copyright.PENANADwHMIiUTNj
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.374Please respect copyright.PENANAMVcIXsAmnY
374Please respect copyright.PENANAm3N9tEZBSM
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"374Please respect copyright.PENANA3Y0ZPEwekM
374Please respect copyright.PENANAqEJKFUt1K9
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."374Please respect copyright.PENANAhqZPnfUfVV
374Please respect copyright.PENANAh5zFzAFf8r
"What kind of trouble?"374Please respect copyright.PENANASqAsDFfU3j
374Please respect copyright.PENANAzV2ECmUb0L
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAN2ELAxWyKB
374Please respect copyright.PENANAj4A5cN0OqG
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.374Please respect copyright.PENANAaO8wj0M5Q0
374Please respect copyright.PENANAq6didWH3sm
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."374Please respect copyright.PENANAwEKHv1Kziu
374Please respect copyright.PENANA3BwfT6tlZw
"That's good. She needs to rest."374Please respect copyright.PENANAJjBH8Jgjjf
374Please respect copyright.PENANAynNPx5n2Re
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAgL0zAPwUqH
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUOeHTexlp8
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."374Please respect copyright.PENANAIUvOqxWaLu
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjLbdPdPsK4
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"374Please respect copyright.PENANASGVdKpPnGM
374Please respect copyright.PENANAh4g3FgZnQQ
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."374Please respect copyright.PENANAjx69z2qFF1
374Please respect copyright.PENANA3IxCTNbhe9
"Ya, sure."374Please respect copyright.PENANAuiM852szNp
374Please respect copyright.PENANASGoqBTMP6k
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAX7Wq4jnIah
374Please respect copyright.PENANAdxWoNayNbx
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAjF4x25lYB3
374Please respect copyright.PENANALcBAmJdj90
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.374Please respect copyright.PENANABzeissvRyH
374Please respect copyright.PENANAA0v8sdVa9o
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA0p7IsUKbQ9
374Please respect copyright.PENANAukiI1wUqA8
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAgH0oPGjTQs
374Please respect copyright.PENANAVQvNx082Cf
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."374Please respect copyright.PENANA0JZvuD3wfE
374Please respect copyright.PENANAzbZxvRJgp4
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAbgcTIdHcM3
374Please respect copyright.PENANASONOvmaW9T
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANATaXu2oMRgh
374Please respect copyright.PENANA2qpvTESA13
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."374Please respect copyright.PENANAA2jE1GPjks
374Please respect copyright.PENANAO20oWfFrFt
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."374Please respect copyright.PENANAtH0oChOGtW
374Please respect copyright.PENANAMzmmCaMTL6
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."374Please respect copyright.PENANAEPr3PGUVFE
374Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3yZgAJlHl
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."374Please respect copyright.PENANACeK1fbpvMH
374Please respect copyright.PENANAYG1RZxxV4D
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.374Please respect copyright.PENANAxOFoTMgzbZ
374Please respect copyright.PENANA5bndu4M2i4
"What did you say?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAvH28OugMSg
374Please respect copyright.PENANAlu3kgJpRoT
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."374Please respect copyright.PENANA9y4a6uzjVf
374Please respect copyright.PENANARDHY9zFXHO
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."374Please respect copyright.PENANAgyTQihzp92
374Please respect copyright.PENANAzicWbp6FI8
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAbUC3QKfN0f
374Please respect copyright.PENANARrUK8eTWuW
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."374Please respect copyright.PENANA42iQqGSBGo
374Please respect copyright.PENANAoaSeiHZEYy
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAcZmjvmUFjY
374Please respect copyright.PENANAM6G92xKyJR
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAmNYPNhl8Zn
374Please respect copyright.PENANAVe9cO2fKjB
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAx5W1fbp7F9
374Please respect copyright.PENANA5uQTM7AUTN
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."374Please respect copyright.PENANAVf5Iet0OAi
374Please respect copyright.PENANAax5Y8AORtc
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?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAs8KhDSRsCr
374Please respect copyright.PENANAtW07BKOAzC
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.374Please respect copyright.PENANA2eIYL9v0W2
374Please respect copyright.PENANAHb5aPi8KRT
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAATk4rE9Hyp
374Please respect copyright.PENANA5js2wiU58O
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAuq5cf7nCvB
374Please respect copyright.PENANAnFgSpJWtXW
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA7MogbryLFj
374Please respect copyright.PENANA9rDBQ2Yovd
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANA3Sb6KhHmFn
374Please respect copyright.PENANAzTJT7N3BJ6
***374Please respect copyright.PENANAyIpMCW0H2p
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4FD5aSk0lP
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.374Please respect copyright.PENANApySrWyeUX6
374Please respect copyright.PENANAXqX5aAtEVE
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.374Please respect copyright.PENANAFmMUrXs15J
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWAy0NhKcpC
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.374Please respect copyright.PENANA8KxEMdfJMi
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6qDKPETagl
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANALfchWA1CwU
374Please respect copyright.PENANALSckk6sdbv
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.374Please respect copyright.PENANAiROfOcPMj4
374Please respect copyright.PENANAPZmEG9ZJlL
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANALFigKOYGU2
374Please respect copyright.PENANA2e7glWU9h1
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAAwEOiV5swP
374Please respect copyright.PENANAJFN2o7sALW
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAQfU0bLdoBW
374Please respect copyright.PENANA8Uv7X8xcla
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.374Please respect copyright.PENANAzju9GXoBB0
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjm5BFyWqkh
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."374Please respect copyright.PENANA5kN858IDyi
374Please respect copyright.PENANAXGNPnNka0u
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA59omf5NNl5
374Please respect copyright.PENANAHSd5T5uMX1
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."374Please respect copyright.PENANAXxiWj98Co4
374Please respect copyright.PENANAHWViIGl5MH
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.374Please respect copyright.PENANA5AmCMty5zt
374Please respect copyright.PENANAP8EDO9EoPh
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAdqiLbkqKsB
374Please respect copyright.PENANAKLbvvMEYoP
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANATLusR1Nhlt
374Please respect copyright.PENANADJIwEErDGO
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.374Please respect copyright.PENANAoBW8NNnxRL
374Please respect copyright.PENANAKkpsUImq74
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."374Please respect copyright.PENANAozBcTsMI8h
374Please respect copyright.PENANALbN4ucZSLq
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.374Please respect copyright.PENANA0T75CiD4Ys
374Please respect copyright.PENANAn3ZrswzNpP
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAW7yOsfJxaW
374Please respect copyright.PENANAq4as0gyriZ
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAjdHI25l6eu
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0DkWQK9g7T
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAH01LMtSgdK
374Please respect copyright.PENANAAyQed4xjuS
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."374Please respect copyright.PENANACcT3ATVFmo
374Please respect copyright.PENANAFeuRVpimom
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.374Please respect copyright.PENANATvBBiR3IQh
374Please respect copyright.PENANAMQ77k39oQk
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"374Please respect copyright.PENANA1cqs14z8gG
374Please respect copyright.PENANAvSEuZoTaQq
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA084EZPWhkC
374Please respect copyright.PENANACJC9oCJxrM
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."374Please respect copyright.PENANAoGdcwhsQqm
374Please respect copyright.PENANAYEHnCiYs2G
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAxwTuRGj4in
374Please respect copyright.PENANAfXXYy9CjQt
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAeLql5lCXLG
374Please respect copyright.PENANAq1tpJUCtJk
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.374Please respect copyright.PENANAsprvynE3sX
374Please respect copyright.PENANAingi8pu5Hd
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.374Please respect copyright.PENANAMIRJkt9Htg
374Please respect copyright.PENANAD6UhTf6Xfx
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAdAcYZpofhQ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAejsdu4xLFS
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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAyKbV75qS20
374Please respect copyright.PENANA2I0em77uOP
"Do you think she's killed before?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAzopkoOAfFA
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWpfIIyEF1N
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAYTtR1IwoCE
374Please respect copyright.PENANADPHQIzioLq
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.374Please respect copyright.PENANAwMlulVyRlG
374Please respect copyright.PENANAxdkGrPWlPG
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAe2nbh8xVal
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6Gg6vcGYTR
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."374Please respect copyright.PENANA7mgE4fVxAo
374Please respect copyright.PENANAiRVx0SuRjr
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAPKyS4KGyfP
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWXnL0HgBQF
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.374Please respect copyright.PENANArAaWtRMYJY
374Please respect copyright.PENANAKA9owaPeZ8
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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAAPnC5xL2ve
374Please respect copyright.PENANAJVTWs60EbH
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.374Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7gz7NKjot
374Please respect copyright.PENANAt2bYiDLVi2
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.374Please respect copyright.PENANAQA9PIDSvqG
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjck1XwykZW
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."374Please respect copyright.PENANAxEMlM2GRFA
374Please respect copyright.PENANAzjzi4t6BW3
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.374Please respect copyright.PENANAFpvYUl6CgV
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6sLze4vYxw
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.374Please respect copyright.PENANANITC6Hw84X
374Please respect copyright.PENANAgeDfaNZeMC
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.374Please respect copyright.PENANA6CZLGbmDCi
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0nPFkIAlkF
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."374Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4N8iDCQRC
374Please respect copyright.PENANAmu3F5evC5F
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."374Please respect copyright.PENANALpVFxJMpeL
374Please respect copyright.PENANAlqWWuJZGL2
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.374Please respect copyright.PENANA2aLb6F493T
374Please respect copyright.PENANAmvBWrduH79
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."374Please respect copyright.PENANAsB5tJlkKjO
374Please respect copyright.PENANAI0DW7SpEI3
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAwcMSAO4P4X
374Please respect copyright.PENANAU9m6wKyVjZ
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAH6Bp5ZyxEM
374Please respect copyright.PENANAAK1d6CcdT8
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 374Please respect copyright.PENANAjN6VSEtaiP
374Please respect copyright.PENANASK8Wgq3Y6z
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.374Please respect copyright.PENANAeeaMx56b1W
374Please respect copyright.PENANAbA1mMO3ecZ
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.374Please respect copyright.PENANA8b84jSzD6G
374Please respect copyright.PENANAdVwk5Y6jf1
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.374Please respect copyright.PENANAdGGJ3825iM
374Please respect copyright.PENANADs9cNey2pX
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAien5AiIgJv
374Please respect copyright.PENANAaqz4sw3tfk
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."374Please respect copyright.PENANAm9QhxXDEYc
374Please respect copyright.PENANABAFTwjpDNN
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAuvgS3982t6
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0rVgjXzMOC
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.374Please respect copyright.PENANAiXZiQTCX3W
374Please respect copyright.PENANAMTDXURkmd5
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAOT9s7loKM9
374Please respect copyright.PENANA3qMmu9LOWy
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.374Please respect copyright.PENANANCfVRLnznc
374Please respect copyright.PENANAZTfxOQmxdM
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."374Please respect copyright.PENANAuSZyh2GiRr
374Please respect copyright.PENANAmsJDqiKxkm
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?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAjfRI3eXqZk
374Please respect copyright.PENANAVtV6lq8kLs
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAkLPEpkQ9hr
374Please respect copyright.PENANAL8tRE0EUMv
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."374Please respect copyright.PENANAbK4ZHveR96
374Please respect copyright.PENANAPM0AGIbKtR
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAcxxtsjuU3m
374Please respect copyright.PENANALgcHSKu3ke
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.374Please respect copyright.PENANA9QO9AfMRkf
374Please respect copyright.PENANAiWOMC7uO5X
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.374Please respect copyright.PENANAm4XpPNvFxM
374Please respect copyright.PENANA9LmcK8cdSa
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAsIhvJ9iWFd
374Please respect copyright.PENANAZR8Hm0AY25
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.374Please respect copyright.PENANA1uSarakP4B
374Please respect copyright.PENANAgBK42Kdcl0
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."374Please respect copyright.PENANAt0Rzkdqg9I
374Please respect copyright.PENANA0kLusVPShy
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAjchFo4ewt0
374Please respect copyright.PENANAyQyVWpa7t0
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.374Please respect copyright.PENANAS9hj7VGtUf
374Please respect copyright.PENANA2ASrXhPbMh
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."374Please respect copyright.PENANAzUimpkR9pj
374Please respect copyright.PENANAyrmwtr8NEN
"We will," said Kevin.374Please respect copyright.PENANAdbZcTVOIFj
374Please respect copyright.PENANAJw0yfH8jmW
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAJCm3luU5LO
374Please respect copyright.PENANAxG7c7wSABs
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA2kjeJINe8X
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUygXpyPXZI
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."374Please respect copyright.PENANA0KxP0VEVIC
374Please respect copyright.PENANAFRPJkm6Lo6
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.374Please respect copyright.PENANAq7RKezQXAN
374Please respect copyright.PENANAhyXD4rnIMw
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAdNpXwm4pGn
374Please respect copyright.PENANAn0gtAmWTOU
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:374Please respect copyright.PENANAlwP5dpuGdm
374Please respect copyright.PENANAGqrbbyDbp1
"Rhénee, wait!"374Please respect copyright.PENANAFJNviOZn2I
374Please respect copyright.PENANA89X6uJLyTg
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAMba0Uk1uiQ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUjlOod8DB1
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANARCSNHLDHtD
374Please respect copyright.PENANAGSuxN2eYfU
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.374Please respect copyright.PENANAq8jZGpJBzj
374Please respect copyright.PENANAmXfHmstFUv
"I'm tired."374Please respect copyright.PENANAzXJYpH0QfB
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUbcntegXyB
"Really? I don't think that's it."374Please respect copyright.PENANAbpZOBEFhdL
374Please respect copyright.PENANAh5fv1wfk2o
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAf06kzOlAs9
374Please respect copyright.PENANAVbK3ZSwgsJ
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"374Please respect copyright.PENANAfOzsvuhR5v
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjauuyxUxlJ
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAcB6rozE6aB
374Please respect copyright.PENANAnrhag0cRp8
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANABxWsnp2Bxm
374Please respect copyright.PENANAkfXWe6fKWH
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAEpMc7WkCnW
374Please respect copyright.PENANA1h7Fs007sm
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAauBJOWOKJ7
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWyjraELzz8
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAbyTyE7u6sw
374Please respect copyright.PENANAC5ImGMngYG
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAGIvHY7jWec
374Please respect copyright.PENANAkUCQLGUTZy
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.374Please respect copyright.PENANAuApgke6iNM
374Please respect copyright.PENANACDZxHwFogR
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.374Please respect copyright.PENANAsm7UnWZ5mg
374Please respect copyright.PENANArwThpUqZVW
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"374Please respect copyright.PENANArjphcH33jm
374Please respect copyright.PENANANs6Vrzd5Fc
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."374Please respect copyright.PENANAOD4guYSc5V
374Please respect copyright.PENANAZP5IGhqB7x
"Good. Let's go."374Please respect copyright.PENANAwRWEzD5cPt
374Please respect copyright.PENANArDZwASiKjJ
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:374Please respect copyright.PENANAUU4Yz6A7r5
374Please respect copyright.PENANAIXpkuecvR4
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."374Please respect copyright.PENANAVZkqbiciOg
374Please respect copyright.PENANA2AQAwOAnzA
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."374Please respect copyright.PENANAvb4uSfOJCh
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4zTJA5or16
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANADmS5Pc4mdS
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4RBufHK6HT
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."374Please respect copyright.PENANAY2KEssAKPq
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6nlaXpanIO
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.374Please respect copyright.PENANANboaYDqVN6
374Please respect copyright.PENANAgvtQcoTNRc
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."374Please respect copyright.PENANAOGytR75p2o
374Please respect copyright.PENANAtpIsdtr7x6
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.374Please respect copyright.PENANAlxgpBzuf9a
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4E1EVsV6Kp
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.374Please respect copyright.PENANAew5uYI4C4O
374Please respect copyright.PENANAr7zTdYs4CG
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAj5kBJYfVVU
374Please respect copyright.PENANA7KwmSvxlOB
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."374Please respect copyright.PENANAYzw84l1rxh
374Please respect copyright.PENANAMIiKAwDkxG
"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?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAfPTMIesusO
374Please respect copyright.PENANArreckGbWA7
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAek4zQrUZi0
374Please respect copyright.PENANALVu0r2Y4Xm
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.374Please respect copyright.PENANATYe58bQ8Jm
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4muFFpqGsB
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.374Please respect copyright.PENANAwPB3WjosA3
374Please respect copyright.PENANADhCL7O2kCc
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAuVBR67LZzk
374Please respect copyright.PENANAJI8UZJ36Sq
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.374Please respect copyright.PENANAiPdIH6Iyfn
374Please respect copyright.PENANAOJpBc3eJcD
"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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAvJO9JriyUU
374Please respect copyright.PENANASMywdFhfbI
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.374Please respect copyright.PENANA5zmFz1sbtL
374Please respect copyright.PENANAhPtJSMznaC
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.374Please respect copyright.PENANAv3mLjdJP1i
374Please respect copyright.PENANA174hiDV1LM
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAek4W2TQgIs
374Please respect copyright.PENANAJxA3GhvMmN
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.374Please respect copyright.PENANAhn5e9Kf2Gh
374Please respect copyright.PENANA2M5bemkXKL
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAmGXGDaado5
374Please respect copyright.PENANAMeWWzp0W1g
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAbWQrVTdvSN
374Please respect copyright.PENANAAxmKUYWZEm
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAJPK6lr5iOv
374Please respect copyright.PENANA9KGNMs4VDh
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.374Please respect copyright.PENANAgIkyubw6Pm
374Please respect copyright.PENANAqawK5yWE3g
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAqrEoPw0Ewx
374Please respect copyright.PENANA2vXLTZyJ1Y
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.374Please respect copyright.PENANA1LGQr0ZeBu
374Please respect copyright.PENANAAUdfcSmWnc
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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAiOthzoolQu
374Please respect copyright.PENANAHwTcUSwUWj
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.374Please respect copyright.PENANAGWMs5kpyxc
374Please respect copyright.PENANAIwAV91kJh4
"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?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAQxnCq4QWtZ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAAaIRjqjpxh
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAVJxiNfnwQI
374Please respect copyright.PENANAFLMKuzLrXy
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:374Please respect copyright.PENANA9HsuLU6ube
374Please respect copyright.PENANAgDnVsZq3T8
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"374Please respect copyright.PENANATs82uRnfDL
374Please respect copyright.PENANApiUUg0KI4X
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."374Please respect copyright.PENANAmDEWeYaAnY
374Please respect copyright.PENANABCZXgWxfjQ
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.374Please respect copyright.PENANAv3DNyD1EOT
374Please respect copyright.PENANAz4hXiZb7PI
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."374Please respect copyright.PENANA5mxfnBci4k
374Please respect copyright.PENANA6zWRGVfKHb
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."374Please respect copyright.PENANA9WeGeBNvN6
374Please respect copyright.PENANAn4i3iEpxoK
***374Please respect copyright.PENANAX4DdCuqsbB
374Please respect copyright.PENANAnO8mcOjlO3
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANATXpuwJ7cN2
374Please respect copyright.PENANA58WsT6PXA0
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.374Please respect copyright.PENANAa40jV7SiXd
374Please respect copyright.PENANAK4N3YtMm19
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.374Please respect copyright.PENANAKCZAvMooOS
374Please respect copyright.PENANAVzbP1l9wyx
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.374Please respect copyright.PENANAXPY0YWV4qP
374Please respect copyright.PENANAmWAfrWcrji
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAF7NA6cfnXZ
374Please respect copyright.PENANA7DPABdgnhH
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.374Please respect copyright.PENANAHhSEvQc1VP
374Please respect copyright.PENANAGF7hkyWxIR
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.374Please respect copyright.PENANAMPATwXKEew
374Please respect copyright.PENANA7DjSFwYodz
"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?"374Please respect copyright.PENANATnAHGDGEAK
374Please respect copyright.PENANAEs7UNAsbJL
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."374Please respect copyright.PENANA089OcW5X8M
374Please respect copyright.PENANAI87eZeI7aX
"Really?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAthuYFYw4Jz
374Please respect copyright.PENANAaFjRASldJO
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.374Please respect copyright.PENANA2kZtzeGyMq
374Please respect copyright.PENANALOlbBbErVd
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."374Please respect copyright.PENANApokcAQmRHP
374Please respect copyright.PENANACmOYLQ7c74
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.374Please respect copyright.PENANA0KQWRYSr6D
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4WFgPvJszi
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAAlYlKN9oOC
374Please respect copyright.PENANASfCLzouidW
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA6kjRLqPQqp
374Please respect copyright.PENANAAgqWp5dTeQ
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAztcM6ky1PJ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAMts96jAWjE
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANArEM3we8ayR
374Please respect copyright.PENANA60DUICtGy6
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA2MUaoNwQH1
374Please respect copyright.PENANACB3Zs2ZNG5
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAndCM53XdEI
374Please respect copyright.PENANAEHUH3qFRpi
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.374Please respect copyright.PENANA3hbQj3oom0
374Please respect copyright.PENANAowe5P0F2as
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAPcE8CZqhMY
374Please respect copyright.PENANAjHLYuuKFmA
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.374Please respect copyright.PENANAmL3kaEUJPD
374Please respect copyright.PENANAwF5oEEXxgJ
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.374Please respect copyright.PENANAu9UinSZ8Mm
374Please respect copyright.PENANANDrkXIDJZc
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANArjGQycSMze
374Please respect copyright.PENANA7h4gLQPG2V
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.374Please respect copyright.PENANAHlPaAStuoB
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4blxCtWyty
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.374Please respect copyright.PENANAP8qlHYXJgA
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWew4869dwZ
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA2D4iU3SIPE
374Please respect copyright.PENANAKMTjJe3HEk
"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?"374Please respect copyright.PENANA97diKuIhpM
374Please respect copyright.PENANAZdMqTiiPFr
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.374Please respect copyright.PENANAzlmstDmSdj
374Please respect copyright.PENANA3LcQM3eZPv
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.374Please respect copyright.PENANAuSWN2aCtrn
374Please respect copyright.PENANA37Ww8x8pTL
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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAk1jMcQJG5x
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWUCn47sEaF
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAOVkTXzc8VC
374Please respect copyright.PENANA1opfxRtNit
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.374Please respect copyright.PENANAMKVEC5xp1I
374Please respect copyright.PENANAj1P3VXzavH
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.374Please respect copyright.PENANAj7Wwj2APDu
374Please respect copyright.PENANAEQLSg91DVV
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAbm1Mbz48fi
374Please respect copyright.PENANAXyn5sFYNwU
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.374Please respect copyright.PENANAzPJiPSKVUS
374Please respect copyright.PENANAG1HTJXDeOG
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAyCItrpx0kV
374Please respect copyright.PENANANVIQIdDJuL
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.374Please respect copyright.PENANATOyDwK9zT1
374Please respect copyright.PENANAH8kENLiTnt
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANACRX122O1oL
374Please respect copyright.PENANAc3LHKfPvZk
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."374Please respect copyright.PENANAadkpLG5NLA
374Please respect copyright.PENANAi0gqe0LQSu
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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAuNFrsgzk8v
374Please respect copyright.PENANARm8FkaJ0l9
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANADTmr8STR5B
374Please respect copyright.PENANA8ToThm5cqt
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."374Please respect copyright.PENANAnupvetQOUc
374Please respect copyright.PENANASc9uUlbxxN
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."374Please respect copyright.PENANAs8OuhyU2bJ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAqlHUIFaOwY
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANANvLW7MwwNC
374Please respect copyright.PENANAPtdZzxxLs8
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.374Please respect copyright.PENANAuMrfkmbiz4
374Please respect copyright.PENANAiiQuhgKO99
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.374Please respect copyright.PENANAtpxqRGmiTE
374Please respect copyright.PENANAQlLIGJaE0b
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"374Please respect copyright.PENANAxbCRxeXAfu
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4K7GXW0lgh
"Oh..., nothing really."374Please respect copyright.PENANA13l7xYiZRF
374Please respect copyright.PENANAr57slTthXe
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."374Please respect copyright.PENANAcHqcCbC2F8
374Please respect copyright.PENANA5fzDNFNepR
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"374Please respect copyright.PENANA0HGjZ5Dcv4
374Please respect copyright.PENANAoFvq0a0B5k
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."374Please respect copyright.PENANA2CC0qftot1
374Please respect copyright.PENANAZfTuKM9Oub
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."374Please respect copyright.PENANAYN9t287sGQ
374Please respect copyright.PENANAAupGz6lJUH
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."374Please respect copyright.PENANA56s0bYhfKI
374Please respect copyright.PENANA2BwmxrIsdi
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"374Please respect copyright.PENANApFeZIBt22u
374Please respect copyright.PENANAnnPz8LrmxT
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."374Please respect copyright.PENANA6NBC8Nf1K7
374Please respect copyright.PENANA8i9V6UjNfR
"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."374Please respect copyright.PENANAnDrZpMOgCX
374Please respect copyright.PENANAFR0HJEYInM
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.374Please respect copyright.PENANAbDCp9n7haM
374Please respect copyright.PENANA4rPrDHZkHh
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."374Please respect copyright.PENANA6d8emlW1m9
374Please respect copyright.PENANAywKLJMmabD
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANAmbAZjLXVsu
374Please respect copyright.PENANAMVBV6WWoIP
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? 374Please respect copyright.PENANAbEoqJqIO0R
374Please respect copyright.PENANArxx3YKYFse
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA8m2MHSrsJU
374Please respect copyright.PENANAnwxQK3YIB8
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.374Please respect copyright.PENANASSZ2YUStp3
374Please respect copyright.PENANAycGw6icthm
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."374Please respect copyright.PENANA8QBDXccrSF
374Please respect copyright.PENANAORsPV9z339
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.374Please respect copyright.PENANA7GD5BPijif
374Please respect copyright.PENANAWTxIWjUwXH
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."374Please respect copyright.PENANATjEovWUiQs
374Please respect copyright.PENANAhOYmsFoSrw
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.374Please respect copyright.PENANA0qQ4XCHN57
374Please respect copyright.PENANAUiNYv8fcqO
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.374Please respect copyright.PENANAobclsLrYjh