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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAFdPHY2svts
359Please respect copyright.PENANAdEy70ZNt8k
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.359Please respect copyright.PENANAvD4WBou53a
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"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.359Please respect copyright.PENANAhTcukoluXv
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"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAHHq72z6LbL
359Please respect copyright.PENANAzxMEndWV5C
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.359Please respect copyright.PENANASmO4rWJmto
359Please respect copyright.PENANAdIbWMbBNvu
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAhcp8f3xMA3
359Please respect copyright.PENANAWA6XpY87JU
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."359Please respect copyright.PENANAVJTZHv993h
359Please respect copyright.PENANA1qEVBUTCsA
"What kind of trouble?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAbBhNJSUYQA
359Please respect copyright.PENANAGANkcO9J83
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAPptZc1IwLf
359Please respect copyright.PENANAMuQ8Tt9z2y
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.359Please respect copyright.PENANAdADh3SlgwJ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAelaY1W38nT
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."359Please respect copyright.PENANAsPYCgmTEUW
359Please respect copyright.PENANA2OCBrzGhVX
"That's good. She needs to rest."359Please respect copyright.PENANANEQ96jn2Tu
359Please respect copyright.PENANAAMZfyTW3Ol
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAgsTC6Db01a
359Please respect copyright.PENANAVRfSYU2zg3
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."359Please respect copyright.PENANANKmAKPeKje
359Please respect copyright.PENANAcMocGRBR7i
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAeSCeODNNHC
359Please respect copyright.PENANAVgSKL27DlE
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."359Please respect copyright.PENANAyLppHxIjMN
359Please respect copyright.PENANAvQ0Lli7Hw2
"Ya, sure."359Please respect copyright.PENANAN0ap4zZajn
359Please respect copyright.PENANA0ziKwRtqkc
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAkt0GWjCDAL
359Please respect copyright.PENANAVm9FQSIWtE
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAyBzAyobW7e
359Please respect copyright.PENANAE44oFyIGiI
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.359Please respect copyright.PENANACQRI04UBcS
359Please respect copyright.PENANA1sZlOv69e0
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAhkvBkdQQQC
359Please respect copyright.PENANAaYQJGQGVcB
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAlbBbDJtG56
359Please respect copyright.PENANAAv7JgwGztB
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."359Please respect copyright.PENANAP6TxoWNwNY
359Please respect copyright.PENANA5t4uenr8v9
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAMoyXsL8YRR
359Please respect copyright.PENANAE6tkThIfs4
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAB5hTnD6aad
359Please respect copyright.PENANAfL7jPmzyvO
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."359Please respect copyright.PENANAY5PPlNFVMQ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7heHb5ddh
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."359Please respect copyright.PENANAxomQCH4ba1
359Please respect copyright.PENANAj6IrgJPz36
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."359Please respect copyright.PENANAM2JaKuBK0a
359Please respect copyright.PENANAie8XaKsHbU
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."359Please respect copyright.PENANADSnhBsfcUX
359Please respect copyright.PENANALXbZj9xgQB
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.359Please respect copyright.PENANAHG1TQQNZyh
359Please respect copyright.PENANAS90y88FOtP
"What did you say?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAnCVndkfjEl
359Please respect copyright.PENANAtKPMfsptCH
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."359Please respect copyright.PENANArczmNNLRS3
359Please respect copyright.PENANAiDMgPweZX5
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."359Please respect copyright.PENANAjbFMJNQ5J6
359Please respect copyright.PENANALAziaGMeL7
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAEb76pXHsn0
359Please respect copyright.PENANA7H562E2YjO
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."359Please respect copyright.PENANA2CwOoFdp2z
359Please respect copyright.PENANAkVBfk8lDj4
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA5SmuXSYaQ0
359Please respect copyright.PENANAtrD9ChhpsU
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAGqs31OykyB
359Please respect copyright.PENANAJvM7KH6irB
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA6jjOrIaDYO
359Please respect copyright.PENANAU5ADiINYZC
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."359Please respect copyright.PENANALBQmZ403bb
359Please respect copyright.PENANAfeDLSYOUFM
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?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAGMa3wrA4lc
359Please respect copyright.PENANALrzHKf5ihB
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.359Please respect copyright.PENANArKHLl2swQk
359Please respect copyright.PENANA7Srvk2O9CD
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAB63UtJMZSL
359Please respect copyright.PENANA7eogu45lXZ
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANA33vYY95WfZ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAztLelZQL1s
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA1bJ23kpXuG
359Please respect copyright.PENANAHGF4BiknMi
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANA8a307Mpvnm
359Please respect copyright.PENANAk3soPxJoTG
***359Please respect copyright.PENANAHWZi70lgdi
359Please respect copyright.PENANA1dOyRCmh1N
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.359Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0dVLWvKUK
359Please respect copyright.PENANAAgQhvxStzY
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.359Please respect copyright.PENANA2QQDjapUv6
359Please respect copyright.PENANADUPZx74jK6
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.359Please respect copyright.PENANAHeTBjRp3lD
359Please respect copyright.PENANAfxFxq6MaHu
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANADQKuPeRz82
359Please respect copyright.PENANAOv6jxyRKZz
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.359Please respect copyright.PENANApcRxi4Jwka
359Please respect copyright.PENANACCeTgmTN4y
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAjkaT3Yez6W
359Please respect copyright.PENANA07LQG4e6mU
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANARgT2rqZe1S
359Please respect copyright.PENANAG07VcGjzHi
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA2n8hTu46kb
359Please respect copyright.PENANADctjmtqQ6X
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.359Please respect copyright.PENANAHM11kO80s2
359Please respect copyright.PENANAf2uvt6407C
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."359Please respect copyright.PENANA3iH7hRKYjR
359Please respect copyright.PENANA8FBHGSy4j9
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAouVQZth4Iv
359Please respect copyright.PENANANKxjW0iJyT
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."359Please respect copyright.PENANAsJ7iVrbwLW
359Please respect copyright.PENANAV1DbhrOt2V
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.359Please respect copyright.PENANAV8dNPOA1AM
359Please respect copyright.PENANAO2Vybs8ZVZ
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"359Please respect copyright.PENANADh1gY3Lxsn
359Please respect copyright.PENANA1tn83eolav
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAJvV9019cWd
359Please respect copyright.PENANAE7AFdGFm2H
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.359Please respect copyright.PENANA3n7ePBJB1a
359Please respect copyright.PENANAUxfhiZR0Dj
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."359Please respect copyright.PENANAtyKIjPS2Ht
359Please respect copyright.PENANAJP9ZjYCBte
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.359Please respect copyright.PENANAvsKasMdyyf
359Please respect copyright.PENANATCXFSggYZX
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANA1oWdNgQ4pp
359Please respect copyright.PENANAtXDU8M8eDT
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAldKyHGrn9w
359Please respect copyright.PENANAoU3M2HxI1c
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAPFZ4rTnc6D
359Please respect copyright.PENANA8MwtABAgNT
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."359Please respect copyright.PENANA1mazaGFz46
359Please respect copyright.PENANAC7VHiSid3M
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.359Please respect copyright.PENANARjMk1rMTYb
359Please respect copyright.PENANAH9bsMJDAcY
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAAFwIQUzN8g
359Please respect copyright.PENANAsLX5IALYyE
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAz9gCMTDtSy
359Please respect copyright.PENANAFDq4mePsAt
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."359Please respect copyright.PENANAlVS27cXZG2
359Please respect copyright.PENANAMIIhMEgxrh
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"359Please respect copyright.PENANA3NWn0EHjGQ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAoqBfhDYPrD
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA5MFxosyDF9
359Please respect copyright.PENANA4PpeDaCNfD
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.359Please respect copyright.PENANAXYoIsdfiTK
359Please respect copyright.PENANASVy4HlZ5o7
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.359Please respect copyright.PENANA3DF0fT1igq
359Please respect copyright.PENANABU3ZcOlY64
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAzdEZBNIxRe
359Please respect copyright.PENANACPJju5eleK
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."359Please respect copyright.PENANA0pUMtb4reA
359Please respect copyright.PENANAqLGzQwbIWL
"Do you think she's killed before?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAJzrB4u0B4W
359Please respect copyright.PENANAppaVYxlhXl
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANABF8DIHePYg
359Please respect copyright.PENANA6vNvsBWdgq
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.359Please respect copyright.PENANA5sSTwepxG2
359Please respect copyright.PENANA7UmLfO85gy
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAU5dhLQj5WX
359Please respect copyright.PENANAJJ38AGX3UQ
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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAJuukiEBjYq
359Please respect copyright.PENANASBKD38QJR9
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAIupvEwu52s
359Please respect copyright.PENANARmuORXPSwg
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.359Please respect copyright.PENANAbOw2fYB9Va
359Please respect copyright.PENANAvrn5PKce8i
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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAh01Gvp670r
359Please respect copyright.PENANAzNaB4BFJYF
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.359Please respect copyright.PENANArD2eXKgz2V
359Please respect copyright.PENANAYmsp0B4Uam
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.359Please respect copyright.PENANAd1COGbiKi5
359Please respect copyright.PENANAJywHwNmORs
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."359Please respect copyright.PENANApd0bdbJWqY
359Please respect copyright.PENANA4VTB3pfeuB
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.359Please respect copyright.PENANACqCftHRNsq
359Please respect copyright.PENANAhv4L7BumFv
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.359Please respect copyright.PENANAEiAXLlpJtZ
359Please respect copyright.PENANATXVUnotmdj
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.359Please respect copyright.PENANA5mS0GayyCQ
359Please respect copyright.PENANA345zc1FlCe
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."359Please respect copyright.PENANAfXDFaDemFL
359Please respect copyright.PENANADgnD3nxIq4
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."359Please respect copyright.PENANAjQ0IYwOJv9
359Please respect copyright.PENANAWXPw0TW2v7
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.359Please respect copyright.PENANAjE4PjlTDxp
359Please respect copyright.PENANAKgEYWDlQzq
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."359Please respect copyright.PENANABm0FixPYYb
359Please respect copyright.PENANAiaL1HJruGK
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA1jYwRuTl4m
359Please respect copyright.PENANA68AFtaSlEK
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAiZ9p4BVox4
359Please respect copyright.PENANAOhi9Av4tPh
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 359Please respect copyright.PENANAxRsKdEXQZi
359Please respect copyright.PENANA8S6T20C9zm
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.359Please respect copyright.PENANAdJwbuazICD
359Please respect copyright.PENANANYfQ2EIXLM
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.359Please respect copyright.PENANAzAXpmRmAAA
359Please respect copyright.PENANAvz8G95hNs0
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.359Please respect copyright.PENANA9tkHlVahKa
359Please respect copyright.PENANAJAGnbSW3rc
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAVPFIMyKhkM
359Please respect copyright.PENANAJK06ci9F1Q
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."359Please respect copyright.PENANAAoQsHb9t87
359Please respect copyright.PENANAOgoRPzxKfH
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA6nXj2pr54f
359Please respect copyright.PENANA8VF12o7GkY
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.359Please respect copyright.PENANArwEovCow5G
359Please respect copyright.PENANAjo3eYdJ4tQ
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAe9t3vFfZus
359Please respect copyright.PENANAs3R9iCiPny
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.359Please respect copyright.PENANACi2DedjLfX
359Please respect copyright.PENANAklec2LIKKo
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."359Please respect copyright.PENANA2JfpJA59r9
359Please respect copyright.PENANAHnTqs7dmvD
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?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAPxU8r7ibld
359Please respect copyright.PENANAGAv0IbLlxv
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAwqOx6LEYDe
359Please respect copyright.PENANAhbPlR5hYdp
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."359Please respect copyright.PENANAcUD2EH4qGQ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAvPSBoZZs2Y
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAhFo9enWk8D
359Please respect copyright.PENANAU1R5F6BmFQ
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.359Please respect copyright.PENANAs7VKHECflE
359Please respect copyright.PENANA8LAOMRYW9l
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.359Please respect copyright.PENANA2zect3PqEo
359Please respect copyright.PENANAuHqfWdKjfV
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAHdNiKVEFtN
359Please respect copyright.PENANAor93xk7xO0
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.359Please respect copyright.PENANAUYTyARnoqL
359Please respect copyright.PENANA6jywzGd2KB
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."359Please respect copyright.PENANAXMYuWgxXNH
359Please respect copyright.PENANAK6PUYi2gxO
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANArBPLuaEebn
359Please respect copyright.PENANAsnNaTdOXwr
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.359Please respect copyright.PENANA3er6IDLMrh
359Please respect copyright.PENANAG0GotBHBjT
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."359Please respect copyright.PENANADxjaDkOtc5
359Please respect copyright.PENANADf7GxYkg48
"We will," said Kevin.359Please respect copyright.PENANAhqx2Wu4V6z
359Please respect copyright.PENANARBna523d5Y
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAwe6CtjgoPw
359Please respect copyright.PENANAxuCmLQZTkG
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAsdPCYzNn34
359Please respect copyright.PENANAWk5BFFRV7o
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."359Please respect copyright.PENANA9fiZ2S2pOL
359Please respect copyright.PENANAxJnJgC5mii
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.359Please respect copyright.PENANAOPHrfpum0X
359Please respect copyright.PENANAJqIvX9CNjX
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAvEuNLjb07k
359Please respect copyright.PENANAexcMJAvDkp
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:359Please respect copyright.PENANAluRROi7hz5
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"Rhénee, wait!"359Please respect copyright.PENANA29b8JXdjge
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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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAwnYn39LCBN
359Please respect copyright.PENANAsSYp2m3Szk
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAIkRRbAIxQC
359Please respect copyright.PENANATwbpSYg3ll
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.359Please respect copyright.PENANAvr81HWMguO
359Please respect copyright.PENANA4CnVrALDFz
"I'm tired."359Please respect copyright.PENANAA7F1nZsGHr
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"Really? I don't think that's it."359Please respect copyright.PENANACIePhte7OO
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"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAvyhski7hUQ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAxUBHEQEU3o
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"359Please respect copyright.PENANAmoIjDEOF5k
359Please respect copyright.PENANAMH3Ljpp046
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"359Please respect copyright.PENANABMYwLW7lt3
359Please respect copyright.PENANA9wGoEMhkid
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAX0uW5rYzpr
359Please respect copyright.PENANAbZbmvPFp9m
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANASKGIp2PYQQ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAyffba77Msx
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAC19pmbw8HM
359Please respect copyright.PENANAevRYDPCjd0
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAIRvEjSvbrg
359Please respect copyright.PENANAb2oHz6C2hP
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAczh2w0jgBr
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The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.359Please respect copyright.PENANA04dDvWTN25
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"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.359Please respect copyright.PENANAGA3QjZsEgi
359Please respect copyright.PENANAy2nhOcNO20
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"359Please respect copyright.PENANANhLQCngRtA
359Please respect copyright.PENANA0m9NrPeZBc
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."359Please respect copyright.PENANAMupZHdLCQm
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"Good. Let's go."359Please respect copyright.PENANASrg9tjG8aI
359Please respect copyright.PENANADfFn7IC3MM
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:359Please respect copyright.PENANAE6u1BAKbK7
359Please respect copyright.PENANAzZpjA37fVn
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."359Please respect copyright.PENANAsey6CUIacg
359Please respect copyright.PENANAdHl2y9tFdG
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."359Please respect copyright.PENANAbQ9iBM10GV
359Please respect copyright.PENANAo2AEElDzxd
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA3YxnqUZy73
359Please respect copyright.PENANA6waBXv1PT5
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."359Please respect copyright.PENANAgxspA32ROL
359Please respect copyright.PENANAwUSAvxsotM
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.359Please respect copyright.PENANAUGVdIWttTW
359Please respect copyright.PENANAKrFs6dS3Ln
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."359Please respect copyright.PENANA6muQXDpIs6
359Please respect copyright.PENANAGNAxOhFukF
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.359Please respect copyright.PENANAyAAKCMpxPs
359Please respect copyright.PENANAFg75JS3Wbg
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.359Please respect copyright.PENANAPh8jZvAOJa
359Please respect copyright.PENANAUEBeu4W7xX
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANA2haO0JtVAN
359Please respect copyright.PENANAPvmI4mfE4F
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."359Please respect copyright.PENANAf8orgw07Z9
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"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?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAqLDN4rX2RG
359Please respect copyright.PENANA41tOFCDrGW
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAhmIiueb8Ta
359Please respect copyright.PENANA08o5zT0ojs
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.359Please respect copyright.PENANAnrzbj2OPcs
359Please respect copyright.PENANAn4Yj9h4ecw
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.359Please respect copyright.PENANAyUOSW91rsW
359Please respect copyright.PENANAzMsJGKhRmj
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"359Please respect copyright.PENANA4katXlVtEY
359Please respect copyright.PENANAz50ikkp85R
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.359Please respect copyright.PENANAsPfKkEVUVY
359Please respect copyright.PENANAAisYa3Prqg
"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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAMvUWjQwNgc
359Please respect copyright.PENANAehbqdnqLnb
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.359Please respect copyright.PENANAbXx9k0Wqz9
359Please respect copyright.PENANAoBqXKX0GXF
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.359Please respect copyright.PENANAwmWJ9A2jH3
359Please respect copyright.PENANA4PBNV9dEiE
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA4Yh7ICkzm7
359Please respect copyright.PENANA4ugc25VcIP
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.359Please respect copyright.PENANAqXQXq3i0Vp
359Please respect copyright.PENANALuR49gYgva
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANASDqiWIuo7y
359Please respect copyright.PENANARekaNjgq5S
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAmMpcDLjAiW
359Please respect copyright.PENANANfUbX7p7mY
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAclB2hFmX5M
359Please respect copyright.PENANAsJahUsSCtg
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.359Please respect copyright.PENANASDuYO0h9Zo
359Please respect copyright.PENANAJEhPNMZ332
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAV0cXFCGCGH
359Please respect copyright.PENANATEQixZSnK5
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.359Please respect copyright.PENANAe7w3mjnJjQ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAOqbiuRQXYp
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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAfTmD0uGzjW
359Please respect copyright.PENANAWU6i55If79
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.359Please respect copyright.PENANAogqO0Qcd5b
359Please respect copyright.PENANAeqlp5MzR4m
"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?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAnw7EjRnzgd
359Please respect copyright.PENANATJIgF8J64R
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5jPwirpxk
359Please respect copyright.PENANAwtDQP1qpEL
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:359Please respect copyright.PENANA40u1fRVKWd
359Please respect copyright.PENANArKP29NcTye
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"359Please respect copyright.PENANASbarwZ2VzM
359Please respect copyright.PENANAZapfggZNXF
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."359Please respect copyright.PENANAIwAONUaims
359Please respect copyright.PENANAUdVDBXoA2l
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.359Please respect copyright.PENANAUvmqKJPnLF
359Please respect copyright.PENANAMmVYwqb9lw
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."359Please respect copyright.PENANAOJZYL1Ta4f
359Please respect copyright.PENANAyyDfruUCvH
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."359Please respect copyright.PENANAkygJfObkjU
359Please respect copyright.PENANAFhHZ3WqCSt
***359Please respect copyright.PENANAaPFOLL8aBN
359Please respect copyright.PENANAcwDlSpVUye
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA7cuYULLCQY
359Please respect copyright.PENANA5MTrb3Yg16
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.359Please respect copyright.PENANA5UJ6fr2C5h
359Please respect copyright.PENANAVU7rT2z2Tr
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.359Please respect copyright.PENANAaSO1ezf6BE
359Please respect copyright.PENANAIbJlIC2N2z
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.359Please respect copyright.PENANAeMWLbmfK0W
359Please respect copyright.PENANAvXP9IOdxPx
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA5FNlFmbhZc
359Please respect copyright.PENANATHceFzXH9A
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.359Please respect copyright.PENANAsjjVGM8RD1
359Please respect copyright.PENANA2VZnYWnhLs
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.359Please respect copyright.PENANAQqqIUFljMp
359Please respect copyright.PENANAT6CHHDfCmk
"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?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAt6qEbyeB5e
359Please respect copyright.PENANAU8ohKKPqp4
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."359Please respect copyright.PENANAfcMvc4al9c
359Please respect copyright.PENANAlEw0sAsTS4
"Really?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAYX3nN3Wix4
359Please respect copyright.PENANAzEvQAeNrDY
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.359Please respect copyright.PENANAiO1os6ERsM
359Please respect copyright.PENANAEyeJnDT65c
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."359Please respect copyright.PENANAy7qg1yetnC
359Please respect copyright.PENANApPmUeOIgjI
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.359Please respect copyright.PENANAe13IezML6u
359Please respect copyright.PENANAMuyQEli3YJ
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAX0uaemQPCr
359Please respect copyright.PENANAAbaqI1UeTV
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA39RobsvXLc
359Please respect copyright.PENANAqmprjB8EoG
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAour28gwh02
359Please respect copyright.PENANA4rZxdWHPjY
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANA82tXTZTnCY
359Please respect copyright.PENANA4qW0use5Q7
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANApEzLsGbifq
359Please respect copyright.PENANAMaxefd4dVm
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANACVL7PfHvfH
359Please respect copyright.PENANAS6TiquoQrT
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.359Please respect copyright.PENANA1Qxeq3EU8z
359Please respect copyright.PENANAvAXFTADlNL
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAurs5rH9BXd
359Please respect copyright.PENANAtu9YADxiVC
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.359Please respect copyright.PENANAEFK1bkuUjx
359Please respect copyright.PENANAzg1Uu4Ew1P
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.359Please respect copyright.PENANAr63idsH8sc
359Please respect copyright.PENANACSLSXLJbyX
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAfJOgLEGoYP
359Please respect copyright.PENANAJ21Q6oUZ3T
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.359Please respect copyright.PENANAIVkWbc5Xwm
359Please respect copyright.PENANAcGlzDepj2c
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.359Please respect copyright.PENANAKkzJpi3l2t
359Please respect copyright.PENANA99d0oTogch
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAUxJyMDshXK
359Please respect copyright.PENANAyAhEJdeVKj
"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?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAap70KPDRGA
359Please respect copyright.PENANALjihkbUP7e
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.359Please respect copyright.PENANAcXOAAvFGXp
359Please respect copyright.PENANANcwkLptiNa
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.359Please respect copyright.PENANAsePdmkENx7
359Please respect copyright.PENANAq7xhE3UKe7
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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAnRKAdsHN2y
359Please respect copyright.PENANAWr4oNYsVGI
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAaa377z3nTS
359Please respect copyright.PENANARjQeeZ9SDa
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.359Please respect copyright.PENANAczf03rAdwI
359Please respect copyright.PENANAEvR3HDI8V3
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.359Please respect copyright.PENANACCSBenCID4
359Please respect copyright.PENANAQYodYve8ZF
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAlGcL46QzkO
359Please respect copyright.PENANAi7POwlfykg
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.359Please respect copyright.PENANAEjCtOcFIuQ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAX70T2LFY6s
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANASPcOakBZDg
359Please respect copyright.PENANAMHQygCY9Wz
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.359Please respect copyright.PENANA4p4kXIcPm3
359Please respect copyright.PENANAkDKFdL5m8V
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAVuzthnxwiB
359Please respect copyright.PENANAfV62uzeGQR
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."359Please respect copyright.PENANAaQmygBP2os
359Please respect copyright.PENANAqFzblCpgOt
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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAogtncI4t7w
359Please respect copyright.PENANAfmMLDPqRol
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAnXNxfCZNiq
359Please respect copyright.PENANAL2qMgnT6N4
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."359Please respect copyright.PENANAIiah2CzH8L
359Please respect copyright.PENANAjud0DUirEx
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."359Please respect copyright.PENANA5j6ZzFtH5O
359Please respect copyright.PENANApTy9gFKTIi
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAy9ZEOHpTIh
359Please respect copyright.PENANANeVOdIy3Tp
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.359Please respect copyright.PENANAsOZzJGB0iQ
359Please respect copyright.PENANAaIb8o5sqEx
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.359Please respect copyright.PENANAOhmrfVRRxI
359Please respect copyright.PENANAfE5Z5FYFGL
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAIm4lnB3Ziq
359Please respect copyright.PENANA1qeHV2jCTc
"Oh..., nothing really."359Please respect copyright.PENANAqcHgK9YGLm
359Please respect copyright.PENANAuDchFDC35s
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."359Please respect copyright.PENANArmeRn1ToBy
359Please respect copyright.PENANAIP3g0M3rdc
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"359Please respect copyright.PENANAGOglcpr5RB
359Please respect copyright.PENANApRaFkmsNsw
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."359Please respect copyright.PENANAmS55lQovd1
359Please respect copyright.PENANAraMH8ILvfA
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."359Please respect copyright.PENANAJDKZnXxk8k
359Please respect copyright.PENANAmSqhtnWOEu
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."359Please respect copyright.PENANAeIQV8u91lt
359Please respect copyright.PENANA9osfGIWbrR
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"359Please respect copyright.PENANADIdCguWu1e
359Please respect copyright.PENANAbbKOqJpYcy
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."359Please respect copyright.PENANAZJ8ELq2J7Q
359Please respect copyright.PENANAOZh3lmPYp6
"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."359Please respect copyright.PENANAuIae22M1JU
359Please respect copyright.PENANAxk1rMETrUh
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.359Please respect copyright.PENANAs6Rkm0v5xc
359Please respect copyright.PENANAodun2jHB2Z
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."359Please respect copyright.PENANA1HAEd6zeF7
359Please respect copyright.PENANAcepvyvPHNn
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAb7XjCJvHhI
359Please respect copyright.PENANAc0mUejbUaj
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? 359Please respect copyright.PENANA76T2tHYy0i
359Please respect copyright.PENANAEJ3U80OrgU
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAp33WzJAdHl
359Please respect copyright.PENANAKwIi8hiM6w
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.359Please respect copyright.PENANAunsrvxkI57
359Please respect copyright.PENANAvaA65YYfjQ
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."359Please respect copyright.PENANAqTVGf1A596
359Please respect copyright.PENANASJFutJmiSB
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.359Please respect copyright.PENANA4xkMgKZHsi
359Please respect copyright.PENANAaMbhsZcUD7
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."359Please respect copyright.PENANA4Rzqsf79y0
359Please respect copyright.PENANAHCdiw48mZ1
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.359Please respect copyright.PENANAdQbM8dsqb7
359Please respect copyright.PENANA2gRzzG9nYq
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.359Please respect copyright.PENANAl6Q77V831U