Chapter 26

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The sound of running feet woke Malcom up, and he couldn’t help but groan as he felt the sharp pain in his shoulder. He scoffed after he remembered the injury he sustained to the shoulder yesterday. So much has happened, he thought to himself. He turned around on his bed, grateful that he didn’t have to go to work today. A sudden knock on the door interrupted him.

He turned his head to look at the door and had a funny feeling that Greta stood behind it. He turned away again, but the knocking on the door became even louder. He had no choice but to let her in.

The door flew open, and Greta, in her white pajamas, came in, closing the door behind her.

"What is it?" Malcom pulled the covers over his face.

Greta huffed. "Wow, I have never seen you in the mood not to get out of bed," she said as she looked at her brother with her arms folded. "Is it because of the wound on your shoulder? I hope you're not coming down with a fever or something."

"No, Rhénee patched me up just fine, so I’m not even worried about an infection. I’m just tired, that’s all. Why are you here?"

Greta sat on her brother’s bed, and Malcom uncovered his face after seeing Greta on his bed. If he had the strength, he would’ve kicked her off of it. Now wasn’t a time for a fight. He really needed some sleep. So the sooner she leaves, the better.

"I heard mum talking downstairs," she answered in a whisper. "Something about a shootout."

"Which one? Remember, we had quite a blast yesterday."

"I know. I’m not sure. However, she sounded like she was talking to one of her people. I’m guessing it was that time when you went to get Rhénee from the forest."

"Okay. What else did she say?"

"She mentioned something about an injury and that someone died. Did you or Rhénee happen to shoot anyone in the forest?"

Malcom recalled shooting someone during the shootout and remembered that he only injured a man. "I only injured someone," he answered.

"Don’t tell me you killed the other one?" Greta asked, looking horrified.

"No. Rhénee did. She shot him because he was going to kill me."

"Wow! She is really something, huh? I now remember how she handed me a gun yesterday, like it was nothing. Is it possible that she must have undergone some training that we aren’t aware of?"

"That’s the only explanation I could think of. When it came down to it yesterday, she was calm and cool. Even when she shot the guy at point blank range, she didn’t seem shaken."

"You talk like you’re admiring her for her collectiveness and bravery. I wish I could be like that too. I hate to admit it, but yesterday she was so cool. I never knew she had it in her. She might be a rich kid who only wants to lay low, but she seems like a feisty tiger on the inside."

Malcom rolled his eyes at her sister. "You sure have her figured out. I just wish she told us."

"She’ll tell us when she finds it fitting. I mean, if her life wasn’t in danger that time at the party, we pretty much wouldn’t have revealed to her just yet that we were out here protecting her."

Malcom knew his sister was right. He couldn’t help but feel something heavy in his chest. Was it disappointment? Disappointment that Rhénee didn’t tell them about how well she could handle herself when it came to self-defense. A big part of him really wanted her to have told them a lot earlier.

"Is that all you came to tell me?" Malcom asked.

"Yeah," Greta answered. "Are we going to visit Rhénee today?"

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