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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFyan78EDZ
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAhoaVhALf
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFXHGmqKic
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm8VMhKsna
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUrIYvLIsh
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneTxYCPq63
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueEu4HiKw7
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50DiNDOEDk
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBADTFjvxj
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QNwNJaKLq
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39ScpsWWtm
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI46C3DndUj
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?650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6N0Rxkv8p
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhfugjNnz3
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45BvCC0c88
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWVOudh9sW
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoiK11Vh1I
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid3YNK1nO0
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg1EKcXwt2
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDHJKXBJpP
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvJCOFHhOz
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9a78u5Njm
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqpEik6zuo
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiFuYUCly5
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHopSwDzk31
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55qoz6DMv1
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNuHrXHBzf
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftpA36x4nG
"No, did you?" came another male voice.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaTkjBPukD
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRPUNH7aI8
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nbm6GT4H1
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7idNDLafhm
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdmUkvaPm7
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoP1EWlmd3
"Me neither. But orders are orders."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOcloZTtCg
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06lJtAwVfs
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05a6JBPO2o
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F5UIIhZQD
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DmH9q4jr5
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOvFZqOX9Z
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI5ImdYpa3
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle0wOW7B5y
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T98sUFSuK
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSbSVv36GI
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEMj4idnSz
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuObMI3ScM
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZMHusu38l
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTtHE6BDR0
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69xXKikTHt
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5n69ynv1C
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2R4E8b2kb
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HAFn38oC9
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvG85npPLR
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2jmkuj5Cs
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lxGZybiqA
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI2WIzvN8q
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....650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZizghlz0f3
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOboIS5ui4
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZThJ7rWXC
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuMSeLaNeO
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Md9lpU36C
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGU05tjVjB
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6Bz1BR7Mt
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49vUkZ0ECU
"I'm going to check it out."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWlrFtyOjq
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3bTk0Fjrj
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMMvakATKi
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc04etKuFqW
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6MWybkAsO
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkxpC59qGG
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevZLyr4fRh
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7PlDCoCCa
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesR1dML3NM
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurZYwlmTyy
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmBwUMIXb2
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBm8FdWMeS
"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?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgidcrN665p
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEy314etiC
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrL9Tzed8J
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRNPKEgmgg
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEO2iB7RFi
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k0IiEJvlI
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rtgjiU6Iv
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu14iK68L7
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAadvkoT9j
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y1xJPHfFJ
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:650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TUv6EcmI1
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRZc2imQfo
"I see her! There she is!"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazhOTfNlQ3
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnkNh5ivU7
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yKk9G2rLl
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduu5tnLQgM
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E3i6irUfx
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpO9xfuzNu
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaFJ4EHCpS
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EsQ2GcXT9
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiloy2xQEUs
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFRlFmbAoO
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl53BxIbpzH
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8Jf60Ec14
***650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEfTbumr4X
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsHzBGKlmu
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxqFCkFVee
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdSEyojxDY
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMAvWgGlNt
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6dHGyvDxz
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDXuGBft5e
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbnAOtb0iP
"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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzPXXWpTTa
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHBCft8TLA
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdfkuemUWl
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5awjYY4ht
"I hope so too."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmH44n1veM
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTbI9kriGt
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO76BLRZ5mY
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4WNYgaCY9
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrU8s2BgP0
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLkfe9L8gG
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2WptuaVux
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhbHPgNi7L
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfx7c4N1ry
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuULaDHyBfM
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnmM8yh9rw
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwSMeUgLkv
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbq9HS7bXJ
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSblFz8y8b
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPHoQtG26g
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlh0YZgGor
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtKkTfIJ6m
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupjGa310h5
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbcRpHO3za
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL1w1xsVXN
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNVzKDfT4o
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWVKk32YIW
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI4dDd0RFn
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhtrIlsaPO
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1iDnuinIu
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzVZ7QJTXF
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95PG0o8mGK
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQFtcu6mbS
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRprpKv2Ds
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVIjKMb3Wo
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwKAnZkZh6
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa1asrLofT
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!"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpcFYQbkyX
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr7pDGVLH4
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZZ7XRDvhp
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswDmy2xEG0
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41KuviS6Oh
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW7u4b9c9D
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinKeJqEytj
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBPcP0rBbN
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZW3G8vbPR
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsiVbr9u4G
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8SXKW0Sma
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ufDHfFe0z
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7vWDcGQ0F
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbYmgtRWOn
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Yuk7Sk9ry
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG0WV2TV5n
"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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKhUdgvp7N
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCWkpnhELO
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe14mLTgPw
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd6BN6fxZt
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UxmQeiXEj
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGcG5YgldT
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKx48itdjH
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5100uDvrX
"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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2ECMdiSCW
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaVd89o8y4
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfHl4gCBPw
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8XhrQe7Zs
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AbUWLjNOt
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhuFHXQhoI
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d7f6XkixG
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokNPw0qGYE
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmkWUzyVSr
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOryJG9Ux2
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KWm0bZ004
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8WXitNiBi
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKqEYacgqn
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFignb3yvU
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRxswTqaDN
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwdYDZeS8t
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQmYvgGNWF
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSNLHVFaLw
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwCoy004aR
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqs5MpJBBM
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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppmJHAsiAq
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUqBlmji8z
"I'm not leaving without him."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOBJAn97p3
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocW5GPg1pW
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6YQ7ap7qa
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJLrKS4K7L
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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqm9SiZg31
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSTKZG22RD
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkpPINpErY
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30YceGafOd
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxaIQWmkcM
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCXZ5aIJoZ
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvigOZRNzrU
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFM0r1wopD
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OYDJd5BpY
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JYuXWDOyk
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcq4BjjFVi
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gIv5zZI11
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0lBHALMaf
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNvNnr3OaW
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXAFUhdC32
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFLrOob2iD
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDXuNMWJyf
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsZtabsXpu
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj11Dq13Ip
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUCz7nfN5y
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmiWkXf1HL
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3FYNaZQFf
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYtve8XUgq
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxUVzlk98R
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCljUlchlIJ
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Re616F41z
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFXE6d1zzS
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5YIIv5bg3
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnoCStDdi3
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicmqgPNYrv
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve4iXZ3pQY
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWVZ8fVm9T
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAICpEox8tj
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE0R0ueNoM
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VCtv2B4b4
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQoKoIy8W1
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvynjTlEbU
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z9itFa0d1
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMv3xRPV7k
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScbgVqeKRs
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57xI2xV5tv
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPmuHhyfGq
"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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL6VBIoGQH
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhG1WjZ2jZ
"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?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL2FDJS4bG
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcwnGYHLqW
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UP1yY63cg
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9Huod8iUd
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6mexs3sqK
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VOz6RbhZD
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP6BGffHYo
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmOQ5s6Pzl
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3BmeArnjp
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVC0liek35
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB908ddTIrJ
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMocfNrz7L
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDutqb2gyxZ
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnJySt09KI
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtu4hqGEN0
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybi1iLHeqS
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYko9jRMsc
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPw0xECb9H
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP87Nw6bX4c
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3994arbEu
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uEQj0zlmA
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40tDBQ08Jg
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBNUKZGRRE
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqIwqZu60p
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xaeguM9qq
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm5H7a7EKN
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC090NnPbn0
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK01BbxIjkk
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIR1SlUEiA
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVyhLs4C60
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qkDyNicM6
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZZSliE4H5
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI76WUFTYR5
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOhsf6tz3f
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpnMCyeMZ7
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2ydJ0FnZ1
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHuSL9Ae4r
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHVXCuMXrd
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMV6YvmmMN
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpKuIBctA1
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEW8zrwCMU
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJKh9rq79m
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAas424yRo
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjaGOOwC7O
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WGJnJtLSi
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKKNvrMsCl
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbOe1pahZ6
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXeuPKKXb3
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBCHD89qte
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHkBov2uUQ
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeBYQSth6R
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU6dUOb4pp
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVK196nhf4
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjlmFjYEWJ
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kHRBMOEiX
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBJbUnd7q8
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXwWIFU4Og
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gw7519ndo
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5RU2kD3Pf
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAnWDlh2Z2
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpSLSaYX29
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOiMOhUzvJ
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhog1X24LvH
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gNP1K8BZE
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1hO9RKtBT
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk14fJ03jMo
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTguF7YpOfO
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjlKmD59as
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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZkEJ0WDtM
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYeI0MLku8
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiKjxlUi4V
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLkdBceHi5
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gtmgh1r59
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOyYj1UdA6
"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.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIQSF12w6P
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCsfTmJ6P5
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0NtQm08dK
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzGaJRyFw6
"For what?" Kevin asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2Ku4JSVZp
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROHvvqY4WB
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMRMuHBNAZ
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdoYNSZano
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSu1TnFaKz
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsMr36RUU3
"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."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICOLUo4nCO
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINzanriVuX
"And that was not leaving me behind?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrsLJeIUF9
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDStqbm0MIv
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zziQZFoq4
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcNr6oB90n
"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?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kGL6TJ4SY
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kqTNEEX8b
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
