Dragging the bicycle along became difficult with rocks on the path and the force of gravity as Rhénee went uphill.Sophie had been leading the way the whole time. They already went past the stream, headed north-west and now climbing up a hill.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZu9N0XXtP
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwtynV8c0K
After a few minutes of struggling with the bike, Rhénee finally gave up and decided to leave it behind making sure it leaned against the tree so as to not let it slide down the slope.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD1WMheDEl
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvVPUIuyHU
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ReCDlACvP
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVsCG7lVnc
The trees around them were much closer than before that sunlight barely shone through the canopies. The sudden change of scenery sent a chill down her spine. She wondered if Sophie in front of her was as scared as she was. Animals do feel scared at some point. Some were just too stoic to show it; like Sophie.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fIu5rxGpl
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb7LcPlITO
They were soon at the top and she spotted something further ahead. Her eyes widened even more when she realised that it was the old wooden cottage.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ6adU1Vpz
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEQD4Y71z7
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdXJlscybv
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhccmornazz
Rhénee still had her eyes on it before they fell on Sophie. A question soon popped in her mind. How did the cat know where to find it?701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FFvoB3iuK
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczDQDqgPBk
Her facial expression changed as she and the cat continued to look at each other. Rhénee knelt on one knee to look at Sophie more closely. The cat on the other hand, continued to look at Rhénee like any other pet would look at their owner.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSKkI7OKL9
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncTrH2lZzq
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n4SuapV1P
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwxU2e10cW
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVuoLyBAfE
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXazuDF1Htc
It didn't matter. Somehow, the cat had managed to find something that would take days for anybody else to find. All she had to do was go in and see why she was wanted there.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yjHNLV8oh
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyx6mVAvHf
Before she could lift herself off the ground, she heard the sound of breaking twigs and movement. A voice of a man came from the cottage and it startled her.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOSN0dZpPB
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjNQnd4QF4
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXhwxnl2mh
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhr7Wxze7H
Rhénee quickly lowered herself further. Luckily, there were tall plants around the area making it easier to stay hidden. Sophie in front of her, hadn't moved an inch.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6yoaD0uZl
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuYsAUXbjS
"No, did you?" came another male voice.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgSKiXCb0N
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWArWltMdd
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwsygYULrJ
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWZwr0KjQt
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTGehtOVaE
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E6c3uuMUq
"Me neither. But orders are orders."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3m9a03VrQ
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9vKjpMzto
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mcbF6LG85
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDREtwtVGJw
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvAd8DwdCK
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISDoDj3evI
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaITpa4Dk1j
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy182wlynUF
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE09mvGETzJ
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVo5Q7o7uA
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2VChY9gqG
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo2zqa5zuj
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHNYD7yRJh
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Pwws3tLNk
Rhénee heard the sound of broken twigs again and the creaking of old wood. She slowly raised her head and saw one of them go inside the cottage and the other go round back.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMauBsfOX5
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gWhUlLZgj
Rhénee didn't have any other option. If she were to stay here longer, they might see her and bring her in to whoever was in charge. Coming here might have been risky, but she was glad she hadn't brought the others with her. Who knows what would have happened.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd36ZSAmr6
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraWmd8RcCw
Without standing up and on all fours, Rhénee started to crawl back the way she came. She didn't turn around, but carefully crawled backwards, trying not to make a sound. Sophie also started to walk back. Luckily for the cat, her paws never made a sound, while Rhénee had to be extra careful.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKXhw5Joyk
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7WzT94lwE
While she continued to crawl backwards, her knee settled on a twig and with her weight, it snapped. Rhénee paused as she grew horrified. It was a huge snap and she knew it. She looked at Sophie behind her and the cat paused too. They looked at each other and waited to see if any of the two men had also heard it.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcYxmiOykD
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd859vzVVXL
When no noise came from the cottage, it felt like a go ahead for Rhénee to continue on her silent retreat. She didn't know how far she had gone for her not to be seen by those at the cottage. She felt it was now best to stand and run, until....701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7A3DGQJVS
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBNCddKjVH
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBcjj70NEy
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kGgSoYjPo
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKGk8zKtDN
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5XnLPJ9uI
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDu7AZSbOb
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGizDL36Ust
"I'm going to check it out."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx7IiJz7BG
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgNli8pk5R
The loud creaking of the old wood of the cottage broke the dead silence of the forest and heavy boots made it's way in the direction Rhénee was hiding. She grew terrified as she heard them. She backed away a little further trying not to make a sound.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdZ5TPfqPN
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LlmqILUe2
The man looked around in the place where he thought he had heard the noise. He held a hunting rifle in his hands. He had no idea that if he took a few steps to the right and walked straight ahead, he would be face to face with Rhénee. He made sure to pay attention to the ground.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBRQQTImmN
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yvxsi03uR
Rhénee knew he was close and for curiosity sake, she slowly lifted her head a little to see where he was. She saw him further ahead to her left and she soon ducked down again. She felt like there was no where to run. He would see her if she did.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEXHVvc4dn
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4y9HemPMe
As she slowly backed away quietly, she felt her foot hit into something hard. She looked behind her and noticed a tree. Her foot had hit the tree's roots that crept above the ground. She slowly went round it, so that she wasn't in sight. When she did, she stood up with her back against the tree trunk. She took in a deep breath and hoped that the man hadn't heard her.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa2xU8MmZn
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvpqIMCQDA
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTePzIAsEI
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc20tAuun6W
"Goodness," Rhénee quietly said to herself as she rolled her eyes, at the same time, worried about the cat's whereabouts. "Where could she be?"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp8UxLDwQN
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcp7P4ltsa
Rhénee paused when she heard the snapping of a twig not too far away. She held her breath for a minute. Rhénee's heartbeat quickened as he came closer in her direction. Rhénee wanted to take a peek, but that would only blow her cover. It was over now. He would find her within seconds.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u2m2Sepst
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ9F6EHsaj
All of the sudden, movement in the vegetation came from the other side and Rhénee saw Sophie run off in the opposite direction. That attracted the attention of the man with the rifle and he followed the cat.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo70kkJUzGF
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb41LHvah8
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXrYf0Bhl9
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYF2wKhys6
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUzsNCwHYd
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvZXs83nrN
She continued on her retreat, trying not to draw attention to herself. She was at the edge of the hill when she heard the voice of the other man at the cottage cry out:701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd76uJQRKUU
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs55Aw9WlgR
"I see her! There she is!"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSSo7KEIBT
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMN5rX9tSD
Rhénee turned her head to see a skinny man who had hidden behind the cottage, make his run towards her. The other man with a rifle, quickly turned to look in the direction of his partner and when he saw where he was heading, he saw Rhénee up ahead.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9d8UlA3aG
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CmqPc5T1M
Rhénee cursed as she turned around to run. But now that she was heading downhill, it was going to be a whole lot harder to get away as she tried to prevent herself from falling and rolling down the hill.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHxcV3pIx2
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQPH4XzACD
As she continued her descend, she heard the loud powerful sound of the gun behind her. In a flash, a bullet flew past and hit into a trunk of a tree just a few feet ahead of her. She was lucky it didn't hit her, but that just made her even more terrified as she continued to half-run half-walk down the hill. She didn't even dare look behind.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSPwzeiiNc
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk1eqvYLOc
"Don't shoot her, damn it!" the man who held the rifle said to his companion as he finally caught up with him at the edge of the hill. "We need her alive."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QIPRUCxVp
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKuIXKvWC0
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLBsomId2f
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6QvxaSpd7
***701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7HDApfxOm
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJyirnBke9
Kevin and Malcom had just diverted away from the little stream. Miss Marie had stayed behind in the car they had parked by the side of the main road. With her help, she had drawn them a crooked stetch map on a napkin of the directions in which to take if they were to find the cottage and hopefully, Rhénee, if she had gone the right way.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRxjPmXEv7
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuLIWinEr4
They had followed the stream all the way north as it flowed down the opposite direction. They had reached a landmark where two large rocks were placed on each side of the stream. It seemed a little odd. It was as if someone had put them there. Miss Marie did draw them on her sketchy map and told them to be aware. If not, they would miss their turning point and go the wrong way.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxC31aA3Ui
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfP8sMYhlf
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMebB38xiK
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CCh5NLJEj
"I don't know," said Malcom as he folded the napkin and put it in his back pocket. He had no need for it anymore. After the rocks, there was nothing but a straight path up west that they had to keep and that was it.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupi16YomAF
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aXPQvrhNp
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L2rRvraWs
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUgP2Yg2nm
"I hope so too."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCfDvaGvSI
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKXc7wiajS
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ozoNBoeyo
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXm5tqtltP
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEiaxf02Ff
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPb1hSW8mQ
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciGaeU9DJ2
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpS0yLHu29
They heard a noise. Kevin turned his head to his left and saw the green vegetation move as if there was an animal running by. He stopped in his tracks, and so did Malcom.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscHYjkoWfh
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhxaaqRhoE
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40s2jhDPlN
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAm4SYlQ9i
But the animal ran in their direction. Kevin's heart almost skipped a beat. He relaxed when he saw that the animal coming closer into view was only a black cat.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj2A04tWyS
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZXbSlmiKN
It looked like the cat would pass them by, but it stopped abruptly in front of them. It was then that Malcom and Kevin noticed the purple collar around its neck.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3ZnoPZLD9
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Iaq4VAuW
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPQz3E22SQ
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOZoBJUZvo
The cat responded with a meow and slowly howled a little. Kevin found it a little odd. He looked around for any sign of Rhénee. If she had carried the cat with her, she should be nearby.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRJgWYtqPr
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOVLOLR7ii
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX7DolpjiD
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINbOkKCdkZ
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbTrz5C34Y
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVPvDkeB7m
The cat swiftly turned around and went back the way it came. Kevin and Malcom ran, following it. Soon, they heard the sound of a gunshot.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd41wzoMWv
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjyfLcL6Qh
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC2g95Sq0K
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXCARlOe7c
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vl06dqcOY
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z3kJiiub1
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Is4FZXFn
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7KoDT190B
Malcom tugged Kevin by the arm. "Don't just stand there," he said as he ran ahead so as to not lose trail of the cat. "We have to move!"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3oqb6L8uJ
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUEvfd7NOD
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmCN7LXCBn
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkcdO8gm63
Rhénee felt relieved when she finally reached the bottom of the hill. She took the route she had used, heading back to the stream. She looked behind her and saw the two men coming down the hill. Luckily, their pace had been reduced because the hill was steep.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h0UWSfqGH
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY48fkeFqBb
Rhénee continued to run and this time as fast as she could. From afar, she saw the dark shape of Sophie approaching fast. She assumed the cat had heard the gunshot and instead of running for its life, it came back for her.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL2tLfJGkq
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xh3MkyqKQ
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tC5p2112L
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OcAQWE11g
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQmF57m6sH
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDljGcuZs0B
Rhénee stopped first when she reached Sophie and was glad that the cat was alright. She picked Sophie up in her arms when Malcom reached her.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulSROzXv4n
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLW3PAuHHt
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u1ul7GXRy
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylN2OBBBRp
"No, I'm fine," said Rhénee as she took a look behind her. "We have to go. There are men after me."
Malcom took hold of one of Rhénee's hands while the other held Sophie close to her chest. Just as they were running back, Kevin came into view and he couldn't help but sigh in relief when he saw Rhénee.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5UAmqe613
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5vb7e8x3C
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkQaPqgL1D
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8ytGGFzen
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25fwX65Syd
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL677ISS039
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYwxGSDpkL
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpcQI3U9i4
"Take her with you," said Malcom as he gave Kevin Rhénee's hand. He reached the back of his trousers and drew out a 9mm handgun.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJBdLETuGj
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxtU722nzQ
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59TJ2T88ak
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe0sEd4gfK
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AJHAZOTur
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnwuvbIgyB
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1lzvB7B75
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kgjQgedbw
Malcom flipped the safety of his gun and hid behind a tree. He did so just in time as the man with the rifle fired at him and the shot hit into the side of the tree that Malcom used as cover, removing a chunk of wood. He drew out his weapon to the other side and fired. He almost hit the man with the rifle, but he too went behind a tree.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkVibZlK2n
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz5D2cFasa
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMalo5srHOz
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGbjmgNelY
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VCtCKmyYC
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5Q1IfDASX
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI629Umothj
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryMBIbMfxf
"We don't have much of a choice now, do we?" Kevin asked. "He's the only one who came with a gun and he can hold them off for a little while."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1yrGbkqYV
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0EpiEXnb5
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L9n3UZkBw
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeovQmxdGbl
Kevin held Rhénee's shoulders. "I know. But you have to understand that he only wants to keep you safe. Malcom is a smart guy, he's got this covered."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnHxkbXESO
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"I'm not leaving without him."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3nMA8txtl
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"I don't want to either. But he kept a promise to your grandmother and that is to protect you. Knowing him, he could even die for you just to do so."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtCnBn4VD5
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmaVutb0YV
Rhénee didn't know what to say after that last statement. But at last she shook her head and quietly said, "I don't want anyone dying for me."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73ZrC4ZbKk
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvUff2E0fQ
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLGcIKwbhW
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Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY04cEZ9QJ
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b7IjTQfu7
In the meantime, Malcom continued to shoot at the two men in front of him. It was two against one with their guns firing at him. Lucky enough, their bullets hadn't hit him, but the tree he used as a shield wasn't having the best of its days. Malcom noticed that they were closing in on him, but still managing to shield themselves from his bullets. He had to back away. If he stayed where he was, he might not be so lucky.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt66BLuhgm
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf4s6fdhka
The man with the rifle had to reload now and then, and he was soon caught off guard as he tried to do so. Malcom had a clear view of him and took his shot hitting the man clearly on the upper right arm.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv6DDJKWMl
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc3wpqPBMU
The man yelled in pain as he dropped his rifle and almost went to ground, but composed himself quickly when Malcom shot at him again and missed.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN9ZwZTfcr
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVssVNPlgV
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ06KqLsEJ
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS93CdJ2kk
Malcom looked to his left and he saw the other man with the shorthand gun, gain ground on him. Malcom started to back away a little and shot at the man as he approached, but no luck. He had to lose the man before he ran out of bullets. He only had one magazine left in his pocket.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNOZYCzQL6
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyRQCF0oLF
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FFv4sJ44E
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPS9cWhR1P
Malcom backed up behind some trees. He leaned his back on one as he reloaded his gun. He looked to his side and saw the man hide behind a tree a few metres away from him. But then, he saw the man's leg slightly sticking out. If Malcom was lucky, he might just graze the man a little. It could give him time to run, but not for long. Anyway, it was worth the shot.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVma2pNmT7F
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaGHV0AhJt
Malcom aimed for the leg and when he pulled the trigger, he soon heard the loud howl from the man and a curse from his lips.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC3wIrpC9Z
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdVlK8bzeQ
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01fvYY1Qx1
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVFFYqNnrT
Kevin, Rhénee and Sophie had soon reached the dirt road that took them all the way to the main road. They found Miss Marie waiting outside Malcom's car. She looked relieved upon seeing Rhénee.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUOmnx5jAF
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvDnZwD7hD
"Goodness, you're in one peace," said Miss Marie as she held Rhénee's shoulder and her cheek when she got closer. "You weren't hit, were you? I've been hearing gunshots."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynn32GvCRM
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVPf0VwvJX
"I'm fine," said Rhénee as she gasped for air and looked behind her at the forest trees. Sophie fell right out of her arms and landed on the ground. "We have to go back for Malcom. I'm not going to let him die because of me."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xiR0RcvVM
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QhLTDSOYL
"We can't, Rhénee," said Kevin as he held her other shoulder and turned her around. "As much as we would like to help him out, remember, we don't have weapons."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fAncTs22Z
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTeASJW1zC
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqLmWm2S59
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Kevin and Rhénee looked at Miss Marie as she withdrew a shorthand barrel gun from the pocket of her apron. They never expected it from her.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZtt83JcG1
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NwZBc3T9x
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyMerp5Fxz
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8U3IRpa53
"The world isn't safe for people like me," she said. "I need to protect myself. And now it seems the one that needs protecting wants to protect others."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWaEsKorGb
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64vDTbn3Zh
She looked at Rhénee as she said this and she held up the gun to her. Rhénee stared at it before looking back at Miss Marie. Without another thought, she took it.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡincfvu61H3
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPN6aUled3
"Did Malcom leave the keys?" Rhénee asked as she turned towards the car and went to the door that led to the driver's seat.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWVgPiO2Lo
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUBw9PSplL
"Yes, he did, he left them in the ignition," said Kevin as he looked at the gun in Rhénee's hand. "Have you used a gun before?"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlOWbBbL87
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IC1iuhU9R
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR46yWwN9P
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZDmU5zqef
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgxB5qcIl4
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71oAbHEC2b
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xC87tQEXb
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFvZ1wPUfi
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyO6G6G3l7
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvmk0V9Em9
Malcom had already passed the point where the two rocks sat on either side of the stream and now ran down south. The man whom he had shot in the leg was gaining ground on him, making sure he made his presence known with the firing of his gun.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvpUhXmQtJ
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXjAGV6fGu
Malcom would have stopped to shoot back, but he felt that the man was way too close and would strike him point blank if he stopped. It was best to be a moving target to make it hard for the man to hit him, that's if he was lucky.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFGoRMfmv0
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VlWpYOIpb
They reached an area where the trees were spaced further away from each other and Malcom knew he was almost at the main road where the others were probably waiting for him. But he had to deal with the enemy somehow. He would put the others in danger if he didn't do something.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY0eyOidtB
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRN4PXFu0O
He quickly took cover behind a tree and he heard footsteps. And just at the right moment, he aimed his gun and pulled the trigger. He didn't hit the man as he thought he would as the man hid behind a tree just in time.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oIUGuShdD
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZsz6j1GmC
Malcom fired continously at him, keeping the man in his place and backing away as much as possible. He soon ran out of bullets. He cursed at the gun and tucked it behind his belt. He knew that his only option was to run for it. And he did just that.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKoZFn3WyH
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjXBvctPvE
The man behind the tree smiled to himself when he realised that Malcom was out. He reloaded his own gun and with his painful leg, took a limp forward and went after him.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ScyAyh5v
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQSDE0X7MX
Malcom was almost there. The dirt road that lead all the way up to the main road was visible in front of him, yet it seemed so far.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDQavG3GQT
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgjoA8jsxI
The enemy came into view and pointed his gun at Malcom and shot at him a few times. This time, the man got lucky and managed to hit Malcom at the back of his left shoulder.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMmMmVgck9
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjCQgbNDwS
The force from the bullet made Malcom fall forward his knees. He tried to stand, but he fell right back down, holding onto his wound. He started to drag himself, trying to get away from the man.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m8uAG8NUa
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGMtzkHczw
The man soon gained ground on Malcom and with his good leg, managed to kick Malcom in his ribs. Malcom rolled over to his back as he held himself. He lost his breath for a second and mourned in pain a little.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7XRDNWcdY
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo2i88VuVg
The man put his foot on Malcom's chest, pinning him to the ground. Malcom held the man's leg and tried to get it off of him. The man looked small and skinny, but the pressure he applied on Malcom's chest was too intense that for a moment, Malcom thought his ribs would crack.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ9NwcriQk
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hKwO879JT
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5KSdebFfU
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ240Nrmlyi
"You're of no use to me," he said. "I wonder what the news of your death will be like. Will your mother even cry for you, I wonder."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYUFAtglOO
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkqLh3rF3Q
Just when he was about to pull the trigger, the sound of a car engine filled his ears and he looked up to see a black Mercedes coming in at full speed. Malcom also couldn't help but turn his head to see his car speeding down the dirt road.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi6kj91uKA
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVs94Qoqs7
Everything happened so quickly when the car braked to a stop in front of them with dust flying everywhere. The man apparently saw who was in the driver's seat and just before he could lift up his gun to shoot, an arm with a gun at the other end quickly extended out of the driver's side window and two shots were fired. The bullet hit the man squarely in the chest, the other went to the head.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRApZIpA1c
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26HhS24ew9
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uARXyYk05
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cpDMcLnAZ
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXy78mVCzM
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mweg7pS0U
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExa9r96KI0
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufvqJ8qOhX
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNRSmj5R6s
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw5j4IQrIo
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCyyPggPRg
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoqq2B2TMA
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ5qz2DjoK
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar9qbAXELm
Kevin reached them and even he grew worried when he saw Malcom's bullet wound. Rhénee removed a handkerchief from her back pocket and placed it on his wound to stop the bleeding. Luckily, the bullet had gone right through.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrY3Fzx32a
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljmMo0XD3W
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGMQv3KCrA
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC20dzXmm5
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOryT60ET62
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNHVEBxcj0
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYX70lxy5d
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAaQlAIKpN
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghT6KRJgoQ
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"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0uDoSVYMS
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli20OpFcmF
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfHZWAVIrg
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl1AcAzRTZ
Kevin placed Malcom's arm on his good shoulder anyway and helped him up. Malcom walked on his own to the car with Rhénee and Kevin right behind him just in case. Miss Marie opened the door to the backseat and Malcom went right in to join her.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJll9irbg2k
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHqvYTpajk
Kevin also got in, this time, taking the wheel. Rhénee went in on the other side. She looked outside the car window on Kevin's side and noticed the dead body they had left lying there.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEQzqS67UG
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaa2ghZesj
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmWXnxXh6W
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvgcnSVbU2
"I wouldn't mind," said Miss Marie in the backseat, stroking Sophie who had sat on her lap. "The people who are after you know better to get rid of it than draw attention. We better leave before anyone makes their way here."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CbP4BbmVd
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveaK33y02d
"Yes, we should," said Kevin. The car engine was already running and so he turned the car around and drove back to the main road.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFoe5JW6Ny
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32nWOSEdmc
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2i3gaYSUG
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpkaZD5ANz
"For what?" Kevin asked.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73HI6YdbKQ
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfNDZ5ISyI
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHe9ELV3QS
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0hrLRPfFW
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6dJAe2h9m
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8PJpXwLtC
"It's no big deal," said Rhénee as she looked into the rearview mirror at Malcom who also looked back at her. "I did what I felt was right."701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB08FzJe8NU
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZUW4F3HjQ
"And that was not leaving me behind?"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiFvJLl3HV
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLanvNpMLxL
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD318cwLzi
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmatEkDr83F
"The way you shot that man back there," said Kevin as he briefly looked at Rhénee, "you've dealt with a gun before, haven't you?"701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqzkKW0EIB
701Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNcEzdP30R
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
