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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qg5pb036y
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXELPJN4OQ
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE0UxksFc5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrQrsqfqBv
"I feel like we've been walking for hours," she said to herself.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpvml7ueHA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSWVu0W1xm
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIHPFKsrKq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqVQgEEwzT
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCthgvXFtLZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8pcEMoNr5
"There it is," she said. Sophie stopped and looked at Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDENfPIHySR
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk2kslhRof
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?683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLansClyvVc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHHb5SD74C
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sTPFyWjrh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc2JvO1PiV
"How did you know the cottage was here, Sophie?" Rhénee asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57r4wZepXy
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hnAWniixP
The cat didn't even let out a "meow." Rhénee thought as much. She was talking to a cat for goodness' sake.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtqWnub3ER
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vkFqQuyW8
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6RALcZa0P
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqUrenFyWg
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTZzXSD6XL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxlNPye6gt
"Hey, did you hear something just now?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBoBB5bErf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSbRvRKpmW
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOvLhkQM9Y
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzIA1XHi4U
"No, did you?" came another male voice.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYv1XX47oI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9T5KxmJU3
"I thought I did," came the voice of the man who spoke first. "Must be an animal or something."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGgiLFtG6n
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEs1UMkYes
"Should we leave? I don't like being here."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM3nDNbiUF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasF9ud0Yng
"Me neither. But orders are orders."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwRhNkc3hk
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL6m1JaKZf
"Maybe we should have listened to the madam and called this off."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ3JdPohNF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTpuKtAqCD
"But you heard what he said. We have to wait till she shows up."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC0aKt6dz3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXLQngZ3wG
Rhénee held her breath for a moment. These men were here for her.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dPRfyN79P
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nrZOBn6hZ
"What if she doesn't show?" the second man asked. "What then?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2akP8AbBs
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94I6NkQCuO
"The boss assured me that she would come today. If she doesn't show till sunset, we can leave."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7XgMMsQjL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGja9d6Yhn
"We better get back in position. We don't want her running off when she shows up and sees us."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cNSvtBU7T
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajqL1aYmGB
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5q2JHNwnj
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaqJ5cGcQb
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM2kgqHfRP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVaDNhP2r3
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hTn6071B8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpEktDuMNH
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPYXx6xpba
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfmb720uH3
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....683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEX8LMV10T
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDjlNJyzfH
"Is that an animal out there?" came the man's voice at the cottage.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i7sTXoAzj
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGroNVxHlEm
Rhénee stopped her attempt as she remained on all fours, bent even further down in case the man made her out in the vegetation.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p05wcsqAo
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy9FgrKzw5
Rhénee couldn't hear the response of the other man, but he heard the man who spoke out first say:683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbbRtkH9J1
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFYdHh3eH8
"I'm going to check it out."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFB6UmfZmL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVNzo7NL4t
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjFbb5DIiM
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOHVpuk3ij
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1luDcl9XBy
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjiTPzgP8m
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPty9PM7zTM
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzUzdauXKV
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslSsjNYhNn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvdZj6arhY
She looked around for Sophie to see where the cat was, but Sophie was nowhere in sight.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6FuH9FhzH
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjVRGNlQEO
"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?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw14FnWVAN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QZkSqyWhN
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7jKrOmCkV
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsnLWCHb1J
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv5R4dqSTn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZS3Qs2yhM
Rhénee felt the tension ease off her for a second. This was her time to run.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAacYkr80iw
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPZtI5GcUs
She quickly walked away from the tree, but as she did so, she looked to see if the man was completely distracted.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELAdhlbwsX
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyqR7MOuGF
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:683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6ueZpbICS
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEsmIYAuGP
"I see her! There she is!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwKdobVUs1
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1ZIY9Edmr
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORDJcWno9N
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc7137m4e6
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFxJigSn7B
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgcUSt1QNx
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqnJzPrRXx
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTBnXe1yoL
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzVcNB87bo
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WAq8goQe2
"I needed to stop her somehow," the other replied. "We need to catch her, let's go."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7jzdp5Gxp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyT84uzaxt
***683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXCCGFkJ4s
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwILLbIkm2
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5UURVKcgC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2TEkS8nPu
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEqhpM1xkY
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiJo2tKzdL
"How far do you think we are?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRQ50YH3Mu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkVqCyq5zo
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuM7cb5VdT
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILIofQlTKC
"I just hope she's okay," said Kevin.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGh75ZqKUU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStu8ya3mVr
"I hope so too."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNi19vWBsI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVliqdesUNk
"If the late Emelda were still alive, she would never forgive us for letting Rhénee run off like that."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJibVEgBVZ0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BXLWyCNnk
"If she were still alive, Rhénee wouldn't be here and we wouldn't be walking in these woods."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnQ6FjR4zU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0B2mN7XQx
"True." Kevin turned his head now and then to see if he could spot Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXoom8tk1i
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHlIP4pnHj
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKIZjNRXSe
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrnr0yU8ob
"It must be some wild animal," said Malcom. "You don't want to upset it."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVHodFYlJh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTx4p35CRZ
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy9LUbJRGQ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCWFvKMDUV
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo14is8pHc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnXEuccewA
"Sophie?" Malcom couldn't quite believe it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVRagt9RZ5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TMR9yUj6H
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkZ15Ow0Vb
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfIAc5jKBl
The cat still continued to howl, and this time, it sounded desperate. Malcom and Kevin looked at each other and knew something was wrong.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqWp0PJNGJ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMknXB6zEg
"Come on, Sophie," said Kevin. "Lead us to Rhénee."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj79E9nGlk0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNtnZyttx9
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GFaOBPt2p
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkDqA6anGj
Malcom and Kevin stopped on their tracks, including the cat. Could the worse have happened?683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uqOMRafUH
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLkY0tTK8E
"No, no, no," said Kevin as he couldn't help but imagine it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsuLI5S5ps
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4plcmfpCnz
Sophie continued on her way, aware that they had to get to Rhénee, hurt or not.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmKlJyKXxZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtcclsK1f3
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!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1Sa7fJLQ9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3ZtnLJPHW
Kevin snapped out of it and followed Malcom. The image of Rhénee with a gunshot wound still on his mind.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDzdiPaxx6
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hbEFESOWv
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yv89XYWsw
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrF1WhLbzO
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoriSj98oKZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYcPTpqVmo
Just as she was about to reach Sophie, she saw someone else coming from the same direction; Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw8JaTfivq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzFBjM2PBV
"Malcom!" she exclaimed as she ran.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslYUp7zhDp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3kg767ik2
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQiLjEtHMr
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Cgjw0O0r
"Are you okay?" Malcom asked, almost out of breath. "I heard a gunshot. Are you hurt?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4Vj617Rl6
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfLbTfqk90
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5TFLyAROa
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8uUNYUStL
"Thank goodness you're okay," said Kevin when Malcom and Rhénee stopped in front of him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwEjuqs8Xv
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkZNEffWwY
"We can chit chat later," said Malcom. "Right now we have to-"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpg9GElUHD
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpNubZVjYs
"There she is!" came a voice behind him. "And she isn't alone."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbIFhXI0Rr
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvK00qhQ4v
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd2XKvycF0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XXBLPvokA
"Wait, we can't leave you here," said Rhénee as she looked at him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWcWRgtjkv
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6NAP8vC2j
"Your protection is what's most important." Malcom looked at Kevin. "Take her, now!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZq5wcUKTT
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCZRTjcEOC
Kevin didn't have to be told a third time. He turned around, taking Rhénee and Sophie with him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbUuURpuLc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt09ZmSXUr9
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvsLCEUuHb
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9tUvpERtf
Rhénee and Kevin continued to run and they reached the stream. The sound of gunshots still rang in the forest.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3cr1Qyh9g
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjqaEqMnuY
Rhénee stopped on her tracks and so did Kevin as their hands fell apart.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNoCA88PyS
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55jmNCQlag
"We can't leave Malcom behind, Kevin," said Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XV2ycvBDu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEXNH1AppP
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI20CHc50M
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGoDS2zhWZ
"And what if he runs out of bullets? The worse can happen, you know?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68jV61RGyv
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm5LM1FZhb
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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSGwPzUCoq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkneyxCq6y
"I'm not leaving without him."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjVOZqYxcK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2CW43kJ3q
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FHEeqmMHb
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib6c8bBZbG
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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzAgRV9w9F
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLWtpJyLZe
"That's not for you to decide. Come on."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhWyDGQbrO
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy5qvlZhXM
Kevin held her hand again and they continued running down the banks of the stream.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A4ud3O6rz
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs1bk1AWx3
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA1qfqNo4D
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8Nvd4EZr1
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKO3WTxJqg
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJjnMzdufv
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUiQqyYVjX
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SonS64q1l
"I've been hit!" the man warned his comrade on the other side. "Finish him off and go get the girl!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcVgZz6enf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROICdSakRp
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTeZOoAF8h
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2p8BMpCNu
Malcom looked and saw the man slowly approach. Whenever Malcom thought he had a clear shot, he would shoot, but he missed everytime.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r7MFxpsY7
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98UV7EXjqS
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibSs1LcKyP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH67KcX7oP
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv45TxH2Ra
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9FVskK4VK
Malcom ran quickly, yet a bullet flew past his head.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3YvhmJrOh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoaBqte2ne
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9g8lLrFxr
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj3Y2tpPTT
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPanBxYZmM
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BZnu9LUGt
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqfl7DXY7j
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj8onUkjP3
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRfLTJjwM9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFy0ZtEzSd
"Says who?" Miss Marie asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn5zqI2m5C
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGiXySTnaQ
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrDc9vPi3q
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn0Ho2xOIG
"You carry a gun with you?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPcPR7jdEf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFfOj6a9be
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGeVqJxpt3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfHfNXHmc9
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrs9YbLmi4
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipFHfaNNfs
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOVvbaBqxg
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jqK3K3MdE
"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?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPCnHr4FT6
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE9Is9nMiM
Rhénee opened the car door, "you're about to find out," she said. "Get in."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV51Mc3hYY
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8rvOWi86j
Kevin quickly helped Miss Marie into the car and Sophie jumped into the backseat with her. Kevin joined Rhénee at the front.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQZ3myVMAv
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8TT4guLdF
"What are you planning to do?" Kevin asked as he nervously looked at Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5SqSqsNa9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZrX2uePMP
"Whatever it takes to save Malcom," she answered as she turned the key in the ignition and the car roared to life.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRKIimZHe8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwdx5vgk7U
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ihLqNHX9z
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8prl7Y0Jf8
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpGDe93JHK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx4g6EYIiN
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9KgLgdqLu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1VofHJ706
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LliYQRO42
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJtEJpdLem
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOv25Xk1gz
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZP1cg9iJ6
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs30Q2kGWpG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Mec8xeM1r
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiQA0e8sEh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqSSLLRnce
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQB4clyfBH
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dBH51NeT0
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zE3WGxO6T
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzIAyUo50X
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o46Gqewiq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbkUCtsTYw
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRhQvUwPIp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KLZDbz4Dl
The man pointed the gun directly at Malcom's forehead. He even grinned.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalBhlD3LGQ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk4NUiHmJH
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGdlxM7y05
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxznBDUq0JC
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM4qXa8rLk
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lrSSVll3x
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAXLZuISGK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD01ZjsdUOC
The man dropped heavily to the ground, lifeless. Malcom couldn't help but look at the dead man. He painfully tried to sit up.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfLCX7LWY6
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rFLQR9vuy
The car doors flew open and Kevin and Rhénee got out. Rhénee ran for Malcom and reached him first.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEkgRzbFC0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ63G3dWnj
"Malcom, are you okay?" Rhénee asked as she knelt right beside him. She noticed the bullet wound to his shoulder and gasped.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcB3puascn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj5CnliUfL
"It's nothing," he said as he tried to put up a smile. But then he noticed the gun in Rhénee's hand.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjKrrbJnUr
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg64NdRuBu
"You know how to use a gun?" Malcom asked. For a moment, he even forgot about his shoulder.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6lX0kqkJY
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24It4ysyaX
"You can say that," said Rhénee, trying her best to smile, tucking the gun away to the back of her jeans.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvR02fIrnW
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUvUoMDC9a
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaznI6npgNh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qhkVmQFyZ
"We need to get him out of here," said Kevin. "It's best to take him to your place, Rhénee."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2FitHE4xm
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK2DuifyXG
"No," came Miss Marie's voice from the car, her head sticking out of the open window. "Let's take him to mine."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRJeHA3jid
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PcZ81B32v
"Greta will faint when she sees you like this," said Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KOq0MXwut
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPNAhnQiAH
"Don't worry, it's not the first time she sees me like this," said Malcom as he smirked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9q0RhAfFp
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxjbCykR18
"Let's lift him up," said Kevin.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMzNPU7V8m
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3JJ72qnV6
"No, it's fine," said Malcom, as he held the handkerchief to his wound. "It's just a shoulder wound."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL6UMIHpUg
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGilXQppiJR
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdldyIvSlU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2moX7egM7w
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk9g6jG7DK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0P9SJqoVE
"Do you think we should have hid the body or something?" Rhénee asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc860Sm89Q
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJskVYmuf7V
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvfInfwJOg
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9pXiNCHeF
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi3TcAf0I3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUDOQ9JJ0Q
"Thanks, guys," said Malcom as he groaned. His blue shirt was now bloody and so was Rhénee's hanky.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmYH2SQog3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2JCDp4nT9
"For what?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNZYQL5RA7
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxFwx4JMt5
"For coming back for me. You shouldn't have."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaUE1Lvcqh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgNu2iQaBJ
"Rhénee insisted that we should," said Miss Marie with a smile on her face. "That's why she took my gun."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN51jQIT9S
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7ncPHRubY
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqacLEgJCI8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVS8mzA3wc
"And that was not leaving me behind?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPPDFcmL37
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgx83PNxZL
Rhénee didn't say anything as she looked ahead. They were now on the main road heading back.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPOhnO8Wpx
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqhVmgqaJp
"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?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuoTah7PQG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5Vog7sWvF
Rhénee sighed when she answered, "this isn't my first rodeo."
